Mahama calls for governance reset, vows to tackle corruption head-on

Former President John Dramani Mahama has called for a reset of the country’s governance and democratic systems, citing the current administration's alleged corruption, mismanagement and erosion of trust in institutions. 

"Ghana is at a crossroads because injustice is eating our society away and our economy is inflicting untold hardships on millions of suffering Ghanaians," Mr Mahama said during a governance forum in Accra last Thursday.

Mr Mahama, who is seeking re-election, promised to tackle corruption head-on, citing scandals such as PDS, SML, Agyapa and the $58 million National Cathedral project.

"Corruption is intertwined with bad governance and represents a manifestation of carefully crafted schemes by government appointees, their families and friends to benefit their narrow, selfish needs," he said. 

Solutions

To combat corruption, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate proposed establishing an Independent Value for Money office, strengthening the Auditor-General's powers and creating a Governance Advisory Council comprising civil society representatives, religious leaders, traditional leaders, academia, labour and ordinary Ghanaians.

He also vowed to restore public confidence in institutions, ensure media freedom and promote sustainable mining practices.

 "Journalists will not remain in constant fear over state-sponsored attacks on them. Radio stations critical of the government will not be closed," Mr Mahama pledged.

He also promised to reopen the investigation into the murder of Ahmed Suale in 2019 to send a positive signal to journalists that they could operate without fear.

Mr Mahama emphasised his commitment to decentralisation, local governance and economic development, promising to upgrade selected municipalities and increase funding for local governance.

“With an enhanced District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) from five (5) to seven-point five (7.5) per cent, we will upgrade selected municipalities, including but not limited to Ho, Kasoa, Ashaiman, Techiman, Koforidua, Sunyani, Bolgatanga, Hohoe and Wa into metropolises and upgrade eligible districts into municipalities,” the former President said. 

Inclusiveness

Mr Mahama also assured traditional leaders of his commitment to elevate their relevance in the country's governance and pay stipends to assembly members to bring them closer to the governing table.

He said assembly members would be deployed to collect real-time data on birth and death in their localities to assist institutions with such mandates. 

All assembly members will be paid monthly consolidated allowances to motivate them to monitor the implementation of government projects and programmes within their electoral areas,” he said.