Former Senior Presidential Aid and Head of Policy and Evaluation under the late Prof Mills Dr. Tony Aidoo has shared his thoughts on the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as Ghana’s new President, describing it as a significant moment for the nation.
While he acknowledged the challenges facing the country, Dr. Tony Aidoo expressed optimism about the event, emphasizing the impressive nature of the ceremony and the attendance of numerous dignitaries. He noted that this level of international participation signals Ghana’s potential return to prominence on the global diplomatic stage.
However, Dr. Tony Aidoo not shy away from criticizing the state of affairs left behind by the outgoing government. He described Ghana’s current situation as akin to a “second independence with nothing to build upon,” blaming the previous administration for undermining the nation’s progress and its relationships with neighboring countries.
Dr. Tony Aidoo specifically criticized former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s actions in his final days in office. He pointed out that Akufo-Addo severed diplomatic ties with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic only three days before his term ended.
Additionally, Akufo-Addo accused Burkina Faso of harboring terrorists along Ghana’s border during a trip to the United States, a move Dr. Tony Aidoo described as reckless and damaging to Ghana’s diplomatic credibility.
He questioned how a head of state could take such actions, which he believes have left Ghana diplomatically isolated and strained relations with key neighbors.
Despite these setbacks, Dr. Tony Aidoo remains hopeful that President Mahama’s leadership can restore Ghana’s standing both regionally and internationally.
While he commended the impressive event and its potential to elevate Ghana’s diplomatic standing, he expressed disappointment with the content of President Mahama’s inaugural speech.
According to Dr. Tony Aidoo, the speech was overly diplomatic and did not resonate with the pressing concerns of ordinary Ghanaians. He criticized the President for not being forthright about the true state of the nation’s affairs, particularly the severe damage inflicted on the economy by the previous administration.
“President Mahama acknowledged that the government cannot succeed alone and needs the support of all Ghanaians, but he failed to paint a clear picture of the dire situation on the ground,” Dr. Tony Aidoo remarked.
He argued that the President should have been bold and transparent, highlighting how the Nana Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, along with former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, had destroyed the economic foundations of the country. Dr. Tony Aidoo believes that Mahama missed an opportunity to rally Ghanaians around the truth, regardless of the implications for foreign diplomacy.
“The President should have told it as it is,” Dr. Tony Aidoo insisted. “It doesn’t matter whether it offends foreign sensibilities or not. The NPP administration deliberately set a trap for him to fail, and the people deserve to know the reality they are facing.”
Dr. Tony Aidoo urged President Mahama to adopt a more direct approach in addressing national issues, stressing that honesty and transparency are crucial to rebuilding trust and unity among Ghanaians.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
