AFAG Questions John Mahama's Presidential Bid

The pressure group Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has questioned the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama's quest to be president again.

This comes after the former President, who is keen on winning the December 7 presidential election, criticized the constitutional four-year term of a sitting president. According to Mr. Mahama, the four-year term is ‘not enough for any president' to accomplish his promises or policies.

In a press release dated July 30, AFAG questioned why the former President, who is entitled to only a four-year term in office, would want to be president again. “Is his quest for re-election an issue of ego or ambition?" part of the statement read.

AFAG stressed that based on past experience, “President John Mahama has not changed. He is the same 'dead goat'. No new vision, no new message to the people, and no clearly explained policies for the future of this country. It seems to be the same old magniloquence and rhetoric. Nothing new. Nothing to look forward to."

Read the statement below:

Former President Mahama’s comeback is beset by opportunism and incoherent policies. In 2016, former President John Mahama told the people of Ghana that “4 years is not enough for any president”, adding that “the framers of the constitution were well aware of that and therefore gave an option for a second term for sitting presidents”. One may wonder why, knowing very well that he has only one 4-year term left, still wants a comeback. Is his quest for re-election an issue of ego or ambition?

We are still beset by the economic havoc that the erstwhile John Mahama administration plunged Ghana into. It is still lingering in the minds of many well-meaning Ghanaians. Fortunately, not all of us have short memories. It is only fair and proper that John Mahama admits that he failed the citizens of this country and apologizes to Ghanaians for his failure.

President John Mahama has not changed. He is the same “dead goat.” No new vision, no new message to the people, and no clearly explained policies for the future of this country. It seems to be the same old magniloquence and rhetoric. Nothing new. Nothing to look forward to. This situation gives AFAG the impression that John Mahama is living in the past.

As the leader of the main opposition party, we expect that you would acknowledge that things are not as they used to be both locally and internationally. COVID-19 happened, and the ensuing global pandemic forced nearly 90 percent of the world economy to go under some form of lockdown, disrupting supply chains, depressing consumer demand, and putting millions out of work. The whole world is still reeling from the impact of that situation.

As the opposition leader, we expect that you’ll profess tangible and achievable solutions to deal with the new order. This politics of constantly repeating the same old narratives over and again has become stale and tasteless. It is as if he hasn't learned from the obvious patterns that occasioned and eventually resulted in the defeats he suffered in the last two elections.

AFAG believes that the endless repetition of the same stories by John Mahama is not healthy for the continuous growth of our democracy. What is his way forward for the nation?

AFAG would like to implore John Mahama to raise the political conversation beyond the out-of-date politics and focus on more essential issues that will likely affect us locally if we do not plug into the ever-growing global happenings. The era of "tso boi" politics in Ghana should end. The rest of the world is leaving us behind. We must catch up.

AFAG will ensure that you are held accountable for your deeds in the past and at the same time, keep an eye on the quality of your goals for the future, given that you have only one four-year term to serve, if Ghanaians accept your unqualified apology for your misdeeds.

God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.

SIGNED -

AFAG LEADERSHIP

Contact: [054 475 9734]