Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has raised concerns over Ghana’s current security climate, warning that it increasingly resembles a military takeover rather than a peaceful democratic transition.
In a strongly worded statement on Facebook, Bawumia accused President John Mahama’s administration of undermining democratic institutions through a series of troubling actions.
He cited recent dismissals of public servants, attacks on journalists, and military raids on the homes of former government officials as signs of a dangerous shift away from democratic norms.
“There is a general atmosphere of insecurity, including 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,” Bawumia stated. “This more closely resembles a military takeover than a peaceful democratic transition.”
Having conceded defeat in Ghana’s 2024 elections and pledged his support for the new administration, Bawumia said he could no longer remain silent in the face of what he described as systematic political persecution.
He criticized the government for arbitrarily dismissing workers employed under the previous administration, arguing that a party that campaigned on job creation should focus on innovation rather than layoffs.
“The least a party that campaigned on jobs could do under conditions of unemployment is to also innovate and create jobs rather than dismiss people,” Bawumia asserted.
He further claimed that even non-partisan directors in the public service were being removed solely for their perceived associations with the former government. Bawumia also warned that reports of planned terminations affecting security personnel, nurses, and teachers hired before the new administration took office would be deeply concerning.
Calling on President Mahama to take immediate action, Bawumia urged him to govern in the interest of all Ghanaians by halting these dismissals and ensuring the protection of all citizens.
“We must advance our democracy. We must protect our state institutions. We must uphold our Constitution,” he emphasized. “Ghana can do better. Ghana must do better!”
