Former President John Dramani Mahama, speaking at the Good Governance Forum in Accra, cautioned Ghanaians that voting for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming election is akin to endorsing a third term for the Akufo-Addo administration.
Mahama framed Bawumia’s candidacy as a continuation of the current government and urged citizens to reject what he termed a “failed regime” at the polls.
Mahama criticized the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration, blaming them for Ghana’s economic and social crises. He claimed, “This government has emptied the public purse and failed to protect Ghanaians from soaring poverty and unprecedented hardship,” citing reports that 870,000 people have fallen below the poverty line recently, with an additional 1.7 million classified as multidimensionally poor.
Describing the administration’s record as a “horror movie” for Ghanaians, Mahama argued that a victory for Bawumia would further entrench policies that have weakened Ghana’s institutions, promoted corruption, and eroded democratic freedoms. He emphasized that Bawumia, as vice president, has been directly involved in key decisions leading to Ghana’s current challenges.
Reflecting on the rising national debt, Mahama noted that under Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, the debt has escalated from GHS 120 billion in 2016 to GHS 767 billion in 2024. He also referenced alleged corruption scandals, such as the Agyapa Royalties deal and COVID-19 spending controversies, as examples of financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.
Mahama further criticized the administration for compromising Ghana’s democratic institutions and values, including the judiciary and security services, and claimed that media freedom has been severely curtailed. He argued that the last eight years have seen a decline in democratic trust and freedoms, suggesting that a Bawumia presidency would prolong this decline.
Positioning himself as a candidate for change, Mahama called on voters to reject this “third term by proxy” and end the misrule of Akufo-Addo and his allies. He promised to restore integrity, accountability, and economic stability, urging, “We need a fresh start for Ghana.”
By Eric Bekoe
