A wave of mass dismissals, military raids on former government officials’ homes, and attacks on journalists under the administration of President John Mahama have sparked concerns over democratic governance in Ghana.
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has condemned these developments, describing them as reminiscent of a military coup rather than a peaceful democratic transition.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr Bawumia expressed deep concern over what he sees as a targeted effort by the new administration to remove individuals employed under the previous government. He criticized the government for arbitrarily dismissing public servants, including security personnel, nurses, and teachers, solely on the basis that they were appointed by the former administration.
“It is ironic that a party which campaigned on the wings of jobs for all Ghanaians is arbitrarily dismissing the same Ghanaians, rendering them jobless, just because a different government employed them,” he stated. “The least a party that campaigned on jobs could do under conditions of unemployment is to innovate and create jobs rather than dismiss people.”
The former Vice President further raised alarm over reports of military-led raids targeting former government officials and their residences.
He likened these actions to the authoritarian tactics of past military regimes, warning that such measures erode the democratic principles enshrined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
“In a democratic transition, the role of state institutions should be to ensure stability and continuity, not to serve as tools of intimidation,” he said. “The use of military force to target political opponents creates a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the country.”
Adding to the growing sense of unease, attacks on journalists and media personnel have been reported, further raising concerns over press freedom in Ghana. Dr. Bawumia highlighted the increasing insecurity for journalists, who have faced physical attacks and threats for their reporting.
“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 noted. “These are certainly worrying times for our democracy.”
Dr. Bawumia called on President Mahama to reverse what he termed as unjust dismissals, halt military-led operations targeting individuals, and ensure the protection of state institutions and democratic practices.
“Ghanaians understood the promise of change to mean discarding the ills associated with governance since 1992 and showing the way for future governments. There is no reset by repeating or escalating what may have happened in the past,” he said. “Ghana can do better. Ghana must do better.”
The Ghanaian government has yet to respond to these allegations.
