THE STALLED MAHAMA RESET.
My fellow Ghanaians, the Mahama Ghana reset has stalled. Last Wednesday, the President faced the media and tried valiantly and eloquently to persuade us that the reset he initiated after returning to the Presidency is on course. Sadly, it is not. Let me begin with some positives.
The economy is showing signs of revival with inflation at a 4-year low and plans to resource the power sector. There has been some commendable attention paid to education with increased investment in free SHS and the “No fees stress policy” as well as plans to increase investment in Healthcare infrastructure.
While I have concerns about these, they are commendable. On balance though, these are dwarfed by steps backwards in the fight against Galamsey, in the maintenance of our anti-corruption edifice, the deterioration in national security and the loss of ground in the administration of justice.
Let me begin with Galamsey. The forces of good under President Mahama have met the evil forces of Galamsey and capitulated. The President, during his media encounter, sounded like a spokesperson for Galamsey incorporated.
There are 4 million people employed in Galamsey who cannot just be sent home without alternative employment? By that logic, Mr. President, do we need to find alternatives for those involved in 419 and for armed robbers before we clamp down on them? A state of emergency should be our last resort?
When the turbidity of water has increased and degradation of forests are accelerating, we have reached the point of desperate measures. You were right, Mr. President, to join those calling for the state of emergency as a candidate. Declare it now. Go beyond it.
China, US, Australia and Canada produce more Gold without destroying their environment. Let’s emulate them. On our national security, the Bawku crisis still rages and Damongo has flared up too. For the President to admit that about 30 people have died in Damongo in addition to those who have died in Bawku while thousands of Ghanaians have fled to neighboring countries for safety is unacceptable.
There needs to be robust peace enforcement in these areas. We cannot live under the law in everything except ethnic conflicts. Finally, the administration of justice leaves much to be desired.
In addition to the reluctance to crack the whip on those formenting violence in Bawku and Damongo, there was government’s obvious reluctance to prosecute the Ablekuma vigilantes, Kevin Taylor’s free pass and numerous NDC related “Nulli prosequi”s. Add to this , the eagerness in the arrest and Detention of the likes of Wontumi and Abronye et al.
It would seem, sadly that our security agencies are more concerned about the buffoonery of Abronye than the killings in Bawku and Damango. We cannot aggressively detain the likes of Wontumi and Abronye while offering mediation to killers in the same country.
Fiifi Kwetey was right to lament those lining up to lobby on behalf of those facing prosecution for looting. The President unintentionally confirmed the allegations of Fiifi Kwetey. If we have a system where two citizens who have looted equally can seek to escape punishment and one would be punished while the other is freed because of who lobbied for whom, we do not have a credible justice system.
Mr. President, Supreme leaders who manage authoritarian systems do not all look the same. Kim Jong Un, Amin and Stalin do not look alike koraa but they were similarly deadly. You must return to the tenets of your mandate. The reset, sir, is going off-course. May God bless Ghana.
Arthur Kobina Kennedy ( 15th September, 2025)
