Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has called on Ghanaians to safeguard the nation’s democratic legacy amidst rising challenges.
Speaking at the “Worship with the Clergy” event in Kumasi, Mahama expressed concern over the growing economic hardships and the erosion of respect for the rule of law, attributing these issues to mismanagement by the current administration.
“The cost of living has skyrocketed, and the rule of law seems increasingly disregarded. This has fueled a strong desire for change among Ghanaians, who now look to the NDC for a solution,” Mahama asserted.
He highlighted key concerns such as food inflation, the depreciation of the cedi, ongoing debt restructuring, and the return of dumsor (power outages) due to debt in the energy sector.
“For some time now, there have been rampant power outages due to accumulated debt by this government. Food prices are among the highest in Africa, according to the World Bank, and Ghanaians are tired of the hardship,” he noted.
Mahama also touched on the ongoing tensions between Parliament and the Supreme Court, urging President Akufo-Addo to bring both parties together, with the involvement of the clergy, to resolve the impasse through dialogue.
Additionally, he called for constitutional reforms to reduce dependency on the Supreme Court for interpretation, saying, “Leadership can solve what’s happening in Parliament. If the President called both Parliament and the Supreme Court and involved the clergy, the issue would be resolved. We need to review our constitution to avoid repeated legal challenges that undermine our democracy.”
The Former President reiterated his commitment to banning mining in forest reserves and water bodies, citing galamsey (illegal mining) as a major threat to the environment. “Our lands, rivers, and forests are being devastated.
An NDC government would ban mining in river bodies and forests and implement responsible mining practices to protect the integrity of our environment,” Mahama pledged.
Mr. Mahama urged the clergy and citizens to work together to preserve Ghana’s democratic values, especially as concerns over democratic backsliding and youth disillusionment grow.
“Ghana’s democracy was recently rated low, and many young people no longer believe in its promise, even expressing a preference for military rule. We must protect our democracy at all costs. Let’s not return to the era of military rule. Democracy and peace are our collective responsibility,” he affirmed.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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