Former President John Dramani Mahama has chastised President Akufo-Addo for his insistence that chiefs get up from their seats to shake hands with him.
The President, in a recent video that went viral on social media, was seen commanding a chief in the Oti Region to be on his feet to greet him.
The chief who couldn’t contend with the pressure as the order was also coming from some of the President’s entourage, got up to greet him.
Few days later, another video emerged from Gonga where he was invited to honour the first year enstoolment anniversary of the overlord, which collided with a programme by the Gonja Youth Association.
The President, together with the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, according to a circular from the Youth Association, tried ordering the Yabgonwura to get up and greet him which he refused.
Reacting to the incidents, the flag bearer of the NDC asked political watchers not to overlook the development since it leaves much to be desired.
“The almost eight years of Nana Addo/Bawumia have done extensive damage to our democracy. As the clock ticks towards the end of his mandate, the President’s attitude and utterances give much cause for concern. His recent insistence that chiefs stand up to greet him should be a matter of serious consternation for political watchers,” John Mahama said in a post on his Facebook.
He went on to criticise comments by the President that he would not hand over the mantle of leadership to him (Mahama).
Mahama stated that such pronouncements defaces the very democracy Ghana prides itself of.
Read below the full statement from John Mahama
The almost eight years of Nana Addo/Bawumia have done extensive damage to our democracy. As the clock ticks towards the end of his mandate, the President’s attitude and utterances give much cause for concern. His recent insistence that chiefs stand up to greet him should be a matter of serious consternation for political watchers.
He also recently stated that he cannot be succeeded by somebody he has defeated in previous elections. This connotes an arrogant nature and smacks an inherently anti-democratic personality, undermining the fundamental principle of the peaceful transition of power.
Nana Addo should be reminded that only the votes of the good people of Ghana and the will of the Almighty God will determine who succeeds him. This reaffirms the people’s power in shaping our nation’s future.
Suppose we are to draw lessons from Ayawaso West Wuogon and the state-sponsored killing of eight innocent citizens during the 2020 election; we know that this President is capable of anything and would not hesitate to trample on Ghana’s constitution to manipulate the process in favour of his preferred successor.
I can assure him that Ghanaians and the National Democratic Congress will not allow this to happen. As I advised him in Damongo on Saturday, the best legacy he can leave this country is to superintend over a peaceful, transparent, and credible election.
Mahama claps back at Akufo-Addo over ‘I won’t hand over to someone I defeated’ comment
