Former President John Mahama’s Legacy And The Current State Of Affairs: A Reflective Analysis

As Ghana approaches the December 2024 elections, the political landscape is rife with debate and reflection on past leadership and the current state of the nation. This analysis revisits the 2016 elections, the tenure of former President John Mahama, and the ensuing period under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, which has been marred by unprecedented corruption, economic mismanagement, and state capture.

In the lead-up to the 2016 elections, the NPP, led by its flag bearer and his vice, portrayed themselves as the ultimate solution to Ghana’s socio-economic challenges. Their campaign, filled with lofty promises and exaggerated rhetoric, captivated the electorate. Various influential groups, including academics, media, civil society organizations, and religious leaders, echoed these sentiments, relentlessly criticizing the Mahama administration and branding it as "super incompetent."

However, under Mahama’s leadership, Ghana witnessed significant infrastructural development. His administration accomplished numerous projects, including new roads, interchanges, over 15 regional and district hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities, and a new terminal at Kotoka International Airport, which remains one of the best in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, advancements in information technology were made through the extension of fibre optic cables and the establishment of a technology hub.

Despite these achievements, Mahama’s presidency was not without challenges. Isolated cases of corruption were addressed with decisive action, including the dismissal and prosecution of culpable officials. The prolonged energy crisis, characterized by power rationing, also posed a significant challenge. Mahama invested heavily to resolve this issue, a problem that had been neglected by previous administrations.

Nevertheless, the electorate was deceived by the NPP's propaganda and false promises, leading to Mahama’s defeat in the 2016 elections. Over the past eight years, the NPP government has proven to be the most corrupt and inept in Ghana's history. The national debt has ballooned from 122 billion cedis to over 650 billion cedis. The cedi's depreciation and soaring inflation have devastated the economy. Corruption is rampant, culminating in the resignation of the first Special Prosecutor, who described the president as the "mother serpent of all corruption."

Adding to the outrage, the current vice president, who has been complicit in the administration's failures, has been nominated as the NPP’s candidate for the upcoming elections. This move is a blatant attempt by the president to cover up his corrupt legacy. The vice president, once hailed as an economic saviour, has failed miserably. Under his watch, taxes and levies have skyrocketed, import duties have crippled businesses, and multinational companies are fleeing due to an unattractive business environment. Rating agencies have downgraded Ghana's credit rating to junk status, and bondholders and pensioners have faced severe cuts to their returns. Unemployment is surging.

The president and his vice have continually blamed Ghana's economic woes on the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these excuses ring hollow as the core issues stem from their gross mismanagement and corrupt practices.

Furthermore, the NPP government has engaged in blatant state capture. State assets have been sold off to themselves and their cronies at throwaway prices. Dubious contracts have been awarded at grossly inflated prices, all without recourse to the Public Procurement Act. This brazen looting of state resources has further impoverished the nation and eroded public trust.

Surprisingly, many of the once vocal critics of the Mahama administration have fallen silent or have been co-opted into government positions, betraying their previous outcries. This blatant hypocrisy and tribal bias have left many Ghanaians disillusioned.

As Mahama announces his bid for the December 2024 elections, these same hypocrites have reared their heads to attack him again. However, unlike in 2016, the advent of social media ensures that their attempts to smear Mahama and defend the current rot will not go unchallenged.

Ghanaians now stand at a critical juncture. The upcoming elections are not just a contest of political ideologies but a referendum on integrity and accountability. Voters must not be swayed by money or inducements. It is imperative to vote wisely, prioritizing leaders who demonstrate genuine commitment to transparency and good governance.

The people of Ghana deserve better. The time has come to hold corrupt leaders accountable and to restore integrity to the highest offices of the land.