Former Special Prosecutor Martin A. B. K. Amidu has challenged Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s assertion that he is the first incumbent presidential candidate to concede defeat before the Electoral Commission’s (EC) formal declaration of results under Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
Amidu, in a detailed statement, recounted historical precedents to disprove Bawumia’s claim, emphasising that Vice President John Evans Atta Mills, during the 2000 presidential runoff, conceded defeat to the opposition’s John Agyekum Kufuor before the EC announced the official results.
According to Amidu, on December 29, 2000, just a day after the presidential runoff, Professor Mills telephoned Kufuor to congratulate him on his victory and pledged a smooth transition of power.
The EC, led by Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, formally declared the results on December 30, acknowledging Mills’ statesmanship.
“Professor Mills’ graciousness was acknowledged by Kufuor himself and celebrated internationally as a mark of democratic maturity,” Amidu wrote, adding that Mills’ act diffused potential electoral tensions at the time.
Amidu criticised Dr. Bawumia for either ignoring or deliberately misrepresenting Ghana’s electoral history. He accused the vice president of spreading misinformation to enhance his image, especially as Bawumia prepares for future political prospects.
“This distortion of history undermines the intelligence of the electorate and the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process,” Amidu stated, calling Bawumia’s claims a lack of integrity and honour.
Amidu also highlighted other instances, such as John Dramani Mahama’s concession to Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2016 elections before the EC’s declaration. He argued that Bawumia’s attempt to claim a unique position in Ghana’s democratic history is both disingenuous and disrespectful to past leaders who upheld democratic values.
Martin Amidu concluded by urging political leaders to prioritise truth and integrity over political expediency.
He cautioned Bawumia to reconstruct his image from being a replica of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s governance style, which he described as steeped in “disinformation and rhetorical deception.”
“Ghana’s democratic survival depends on leaders who prioritise national integrity over personal and political gains,” Amidu stressed.
Read the full statement below:
