Former President John Dramani Mahama has lamented the erosion of democratic institutions under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, describing the nation as being at a ‘crossroads.’
Citing economic challenges, the former President averred that injustice is eating the society away as the economy inflicts untold hardships on millions of suffering Ghanaians.
Addressing the Governance Forum in Accra, Mr. Mahama outlined his vision to ‘reset’ Ghana’s governance with an emphasis on fighting corruption, promoting accountability, and restoring faith in democratic institutions.
Ghana, he said, needs transformative leadership to reverse years of what he termed ‘bad governance.’
According to him, the nation’s economic plight has worsened under the current administration and pointed to statistics showing that nearly 1.7 million Ghanaians live in multidimensional poverty.
“The gains we made in strengthening democracy since 1992 have been eroded,” he stated and urged citizens to ‘reject the current government at the polls on December 7.’
Mahama emphasized his commitment to fighting corruption, referencing high-profile scandals under the current administration, including the Agyapa Royalties deal and misuse of COVID-19 funds.
This, he said, is not about witch-hunting but a genuine desire to see public officers held accountable and stressed that fighting corruption requires courage and principle.
The former President promised that if elected he will create an Independent Value for Money office to oversee government procurements and to establish special courts for corruption cases.
“Operation Recover-All-Loot (ORAL) will investigate, prosecute, and recover proceeds of corruption. This will make corruption a high-risk endeavour,” he said.
Addressing the judiciary, Mahama outlined plans for judicial reforms aimed at speeding up case resolutions. He also promised to depoliticize the judiciary that justice must be served, and citizens must see it.
He also pledged to support press freedom by reactivating investigations into journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale’s murder and fully implementing the Right to Information Act.
Mahama also touched on the importance of rebuilding public trust in government institutions, citing recent Afrobarometer findings showing low public confidence in democratic institutions.
“We must urgently halt their decay and begin to chart a dignifying path forward,” he said.
The former President committed to reviewing compensation for security personnel and establishing new military installations, especially in border regions, to combat terrorism and assured that the glory days of Ghana’s security services are coming.
Mr. Mahama called for national unity and urging Ghanaians to vote for change adding, “Let us reset Ghana for good governance and accountability.”