Ghana's Information Minister, Fatimatu Abubakar, has recently attacked the former President John Dramani Mahama as a threat to the country's democracy. He released his statement in the wake of Mahama's criticisms against the current government; he said such actions undermined the democratic institutions and processes of the country.
At the press briefing, Abubakar said Mahama's remarks, especially those that touched on issues of alleged electoral irregularities and governance concerns, chip away at the people's confidence in the election process. According to her, by casting aspersions on the integrity of Ghana's elections, Mahama is not just undermining the credibility of the Electoral Commission but inciting the public to cause disaffection.
"Former President Mahama has a responsibility to foster unity and confidence in our democracy, not to sow seeds of discord and mistrust," Abubakar said. She stated that Mahama's utterances could incite unrest and destabilize the political scene, which is particularly worrying with the country drawing closer to the next general elections.
Abubakar's statement comes in the wake of Mahama's latest public engagements, where he has again poured out his reservation on governance and transparency issues from the current administration. He recently has been vocal on what he describes as a decline in democratic values and urges citizens to remain alert and active in the protection of their rights.
In response to the speech, Abubakar called on Ghanaians to stand by the progress made in their democratic journey, emphasizing constructive dialogue and cooperation between political parties. "Democracy thrives on mutual respect and constructive criticism, not baseless allegations that threaten our collective stability," she said.
As such, political analysts further note that tensions between the ruling New Patriotic Party, otherwise known as the NPP, and the opposition National Democratic Congress, otherwise known as the NDC, have always managed to escalate during election cycles. With the heated political atmosphere, analysts expect both parties to increase their activities in the following months.
In the process of overcoming these challenges, it is paramount that calls for unity and respect for democratic principles go hand in hand with ensuring peaceful elections and a continued strong democracy in Ghana.
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