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How Akufo-Addo Nearly Became Ghana's Modern-Day Mobutu Sese Seko

Feature Article How Akufo-Addo Nearly Became Ghanas Modern-Day Mobutu Sese Seko
MON, 13 JAN 2025

Nana Akufo-Addo may not have reached the levels of infamy associated with Mobutu Sese Seko,however, the similarities in their governance styles are alarming.

To jog your memory, Mobutu Sese Seko, the former president of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), is remembered as a symbol of kleptocracy, tyranny, and state abuse. His 32-year rule left his country in ruins, marked by rampant corruption, nepotism, and the exploitation of state resources for personal gain. While the political contexts of Congo under Mobutu and Ghana under Nana Akufo-Addo differ, the parallels between their leadership styles are striking, particularly in the realms of bad governance, state looting, and abuse of power.

Firstly, Mobutu’s regime was infamous for looting state resources, amassing a personal fortune estimated at $5 billion, while his country suffered economic collapse. Similarly, the Akufo-Addo administration has faced accusations of large-scale corruption and mismanagement. Under Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s debt skyrocketed to unsustainable levels, with the government turning to the IMF for bailouts, reminiscent of Mobutu's reliance on foreign aid while squandering resources.

High-profile scandals such as the PDS deal, the Agyapa Royalties agreement, and the misuse of COVID-19 funds have cemented the perception that corruption thrives under Akufo-Addo’s watch. Much like Mobutu, who coined the phrase "kleptocracy," Akufo-Addo’s governance has been criticized as prioritizing the enrichment of a select few over national development.

Mobutu’s leadership was characterized by extreme nepotism, where key positions were handed to loyal family members and friends. Akufo-Addo’s administration mirrors this trend, with accusations of appointing over 50 relatives and close associates to critical roles in government. This not only undermines public confidence but also creates inefficiencies and a lack of accountability, hallmarks of Mobutu’s Zaire.

Mobutu maintained power through a mix of propaganda, military control, and the suppression of dissent. In Ghana, Akufo-Addo has faced similar accusations of eroding democratic principles. The shutting down of critical media houses, arrests of journalists, and a perceived intolerance for dissenting voices was as if Mobutu’s style was being assimilated.The introduction of policies such as the E-Levy, against widespread public outcry, reflects a governance style that prioritizes the regime's interests over the people's will.

While Mobutu lived a lavish lifestyle, hosting grand events and building palatial residences, his citizens lived in poverty. Akufo-Addo’s presidency has not been immune to such criticism. The construction of a controversial National Cathedral,flying in jets that cost a fortune to hire, amidst severe economic hardship has drawn parallels to Mobutu’s wasteful projects. The Ghanaian public has increasingly questioned the priorities of a government that seems disconnected from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens.

Mobutu left Zaire as a fractured, impoverished state, setting the stage for decades of conflict. While Ghana has not descended into chaos, Akufo-Addo’s leadership has left deep scars.For the timely concession of Dr. Bawumia,Ghana's democracy would have been thrown to the dogs considering the seemingly bias and partisan positions of the Electoral Commission that could only tell they were in bed with Akufo-Addo’s administration. The high unemployment, a depreciating cedi, and a lack of public trust in government institutions have created a fragile socio-economic environment.

History has shown us the cost of bad leadership, and it is a lesson Ghanaians must never forget.If he was allowed to run this country and further,we would have seen convincingly seen another Mobutu who parades himself as a democrat.

Interestingly,I woke up to the news of his statue destroyed at Sekondi.This may be illegal but it also indicates how unpopular he has become among Ghanaians.

Long Live Mother Ghana
Dumenu Charles Selorm

Dumenu Charles Selorm
Dumenu Charles Selorm, © 2025

This Author has 95 publications here on modernghana.comColumn: Dumenu Charles Selorm

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