It is an undeniable fact that the second coming of President John Dramani Mahama can simply be described as ‘so far, so good’. Unlike his previous tenure of office, the president seems to have learnt a lot of useful lessons, which is helping him to successfully steer the affairs of the state.
Though he has come under strong public criticisms for attempting to remove the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, from office based on political grounds, a criticism The Chronicle fully endorses, no legal luminary has so far faulted the impeachment process. He is using the due process of the law to remove the CJ from office or otherwise.
Ghanaians will also agree with us that the national economy is gradually bouncing back. The real McCoy, we believe, is the stabilisation of the exchange rate of the cedi to the dollar. Indeed nobody, including The Chronicle, thought Mr Mahama can find an antidote to the cedi-dollar conundrum, but he has done it with precision.
For the first time in many years, traders have reduced prices of their goods and services because of the stability of the cedi against the dollar. The President has also managed to put what we will describe as ‘diplomatic fear’ in his appointees, hence no scandal has so far been recorded.
The ministers and the appointees are aware that any slightest mistake they make can affect their jobs. As a result, they are all careful not to involve in any financial scandal that will force the president to crack the whip. This is, indeed, good governance and The Chronicle applauds Mr Mahama for this great feat.
But notwithstanding all these good performances, The Chronicle is advising the President not to heed the calls coming from individuals that the constitution must be amended for him to contest and become president for a third term. Though Mr Mahama has overwhelming majority in parliament to successful execute this agenda if he wishes to do so, he should not try it, because it will soil his record.
According to a story we have published on page two of today’s edition of the paper, the Krontihene of Akyem Asuom, Nana Boadi Amponim Obodade III, has joined the growing chorus of voices calling for constitutional reforms that would allow President John Dramani Mahama to serve beyond Ghana’s current two-term presidential limit.
The traditional ruler, who was speaking to the media in the Eastern Region, argued that exceptional leadership should not be constrained by what he called “arbitrary limits.” Nana Boadi described President Mahama as a “Good Samaritan” who had returned at a critical moment to rescue Ghana, drawing a powerful comparison to the country’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
“In just six months, President Mahama has revived the economy, exposed corruption and restored national hope,” the chief declared. Yes, we have already alluded to the fact that the economy is being revived, but that should not form the basis for the President to listen to some of these sycophantic calls to run for president for the third time.
We believe President Mahama, a staunch Christian, will be guided by the admonition in 1 Corinthians 6:12 which states, “I have the right to do anything you say – but not everything is beneficial. His government is flourishing today because there is absolute peace in the country. However, any attempt to amend the constitution to keep himself in power as other African leaders are doing, could spark violent agitations in the country, thereby destroying the very democracy he himself has toiled to nurture.
What he needs to do now is how to leave a living legacy for both his party and the country. He had already promised to construct a six-lane road from Accra to Kumasi between now and 2028. If this huge project, which those managing his communication failed to properly bring to the attention of the public when it was made in Kumasi, is successfully executed, it would have surpassed all what has been achieved under the Fourth Republic.
To us at The Chronicle, he must focus on his objectives to transform Ghana within the next three and half years and should not be detracted by those claiming to love him, but prescribing wrong prescription for him. Even Jerry John Rawlings, the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) who had military background never made the attempt to perpetuate himself in power. He quietly left office when his constitutional tenure of office came to an end.
We hope Mr President is listening to us.
