President Mahama and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has criticized President John Dramani Mahama‘s administration over recent developments in the country, which he claims pose significant threats to the country’s democracy.
In a statement released on February 19, 2025, Dr. Bawumia addressed key issues, including mass dismissals of public workers, attacks on journalists, and the use of military force in civilian matters.
Here are highlights of four things Bawumia said to Mahama:
1.Mass dismissals of public workers
Dr. Bawumia accused President Mahama of unfairly dismissing government employees who were legitimately employed under the previous administration of Nana Akufo-Addo.
According to him, these dismissals contradict Mahama’s campaign promise of creating jobs for all Ghanaians. “The least a party that campaigned on jobs could do under conditions of unemployment is to also innovate and create jobs rather than dismiss people,” he stated.
He further noted that directors, security personnel, nurses, and teachers have all been affected by these terminations.
2.Targeting non-political public servants
The former Vice President highlighted that many of the dismissed individuals were public servants rather than political appointees.
He criticized the government for targeting professionals simply because they were appointed during the previous administration.
“In some of the cases, the only reason for dismissal was that the persons whose livelihoods have been destroyed are known to or related to politicians as if to suggest that they cannot live independent professional lives,” he lamented.
3. Increasing insecurity and attacks
Dr. Bawumia expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the country, pointing to reports of attacks on journalists and state institutions.
“There is a general atmosphere of insecurity with attacks on journalists, the use of our military to raid the homes of former government officials and communities, as well as mobs attacking innocent individuals and state institutions,” he stated.
3.Ghana experiencing a military-like takeover
He further compared the current political climate to a military coup rather than a peaceful democratic transition.
“This is rather reminiscent of a military takeover and not a peaceful democratic transition,” he emphasized.
He urged President Mahama to take action to restore law and order.
4.Call for democratic integrity and governance
Dr. Bawumia urged President Mahama to uphold democratic principles and the Ghanaian Constitution.
“Ghanaians understood the promise of change to mean discarding the ills associated with the governance of our nation since 1992 and also an opportunity to show the way for future governments. There is no reset by repeating or escalating what may have happened in the past.”
His comment comes after a group of individuals dressed in military uniforms stormed the residence of former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta on February 11, 2025, while he was out of the country.
The motive behind the raid remains unclear, but it has fueled concerns over the increasing use of force against former government officials.
Also, alleged members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been attacking some institutions and individuals after a change of government.
AM/KA
You can also watch Godfred Dame’s full speech on legal case withdrawals below:
