Why President Mahama Risks Being Ghana’s Worst President

Mahama with Akonfem

This is a prophecy and a prediction. because our elders say, to be able to predict the future, you must look at what happened in the past. President John Mahama is on a path that risks cementing his legacy as Ghana’s worst president. His initial actions as president-elect raise serious concerns about his priorities. Instead of focusing on critical national issues, one of his first moves was to form an "ORAL" team, allegedly tasked with persecuting political opponents. This approach not only deepens political divisions but also signals misplaced priorities at a time when Ghana needs unity and decisive leadership to tackle its pressing challenges.

Mahama’s focus on self-aggrandizement further illustrates his detachment from Ghana's realities. His decision to visit African countries to invite their heads of state to his swearing-in ceremony, while symbolic, is tone-deaf given the country’s struggling economy. At a time when Ghanaians expect clear, actionable plans to address economic hardships, such actions project vanity rather than vision.

Compounding the concerns are Mahama’s many campaign promises, which lack clarity and feasibility. His populist pledge to abolish taxes without providing meaningful alternatives risks creating budgetary imbalances that could worsen Ghana's economic plight. These unfulfilled promises will likely erode public trust, leaving Ghanaians to face the consequences of poor planning and governance.

Energy sector challenges under Mahama’s leadership also loom ominously. His history of signing reckless Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) at exorbitant rates led to significant inefficiencies in the sector. With mounting debts and excuses already surfacing, Ghanaians should brace themselves for a potential return of "Dumsor," the power outages that plagued his previous tenure. This mismanagement underscores his inability to provide sustainable solutions to critical national problems.

Inheriting a struggling economy requires focused and pragmatic leadership, but Mahama’s actions suggest the opposite. If these trends continue, his tenure will be marked by political vendettas, economic missteps, and failed promises, solidifying his position as the worst president Ghana has ever had. Ghanaians deserve better, and history will judge his presidency harshly if he does not realign his priorities.

By: Albert Opare (Member of the NPP, Suhum Constituency)