Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has criticized former President John Dramani Mahama, accusing him of jeopardising Ghana’s democratic stability with inflammatory and reckless rhetoric.
According to her, Mr Mahama’s attempts to undermine trust in national institutions and destabilize the political environment as Ghana heads toward the December 7 polls are worrying.
“Former President Mahama isn’t above the law, and I find it disappointing to hear such criticisms of independent state institutions coming from a former president,” she remarked.
“His comments raise concerns about his stance on democracy in Ghana, as he seems to expect that any court case involving him or his party must end in his favour. Is that how the law should be viewed? Absolutely not. The law dictates that all cases before the court should be decided on merit.”
This comes after Mr. Mahama accused the Akufo-Addo administration of intentionally undermining independent institutions in Ghana, specifically mentioning the Electoral Commission (EC) and the judiciary.
Speaking at his Good Governance Forum on Thursday, Mr Mahama expressed deep concern over the erosion of institutional integrity and its implications for the country’s democracy.
He emphasised that the systematic weakening of these institutions poses a serious threat to good governance and accountability.
However, Madam Abubakar argued that such claims are without evidence and pose a serious risk to Ghana’s democratic stability.
“Consider the difference between the 2012 and 2020 election petitions. Who presented the most evidence to the court?” she questioned.
“In 2012, when the Supreme Court ruled against then-candidate Akufo-Addo, he accepted the decision without question to preserve our democratic stability. That’s the approach that upholds democracy not trying to bend the law to fit one’s personal or political interests.”
According to Madam Abubakar, Mahama’s recent rhetoric reflects a pattern of “dangerous” statements that question the integrity of democratic institutions.
She emphasised the importance of respecting the rule of law and supporting independent institutions like the EC and judiciary to ensure free and fair elections.
“The Electoral Commission, the courts—these are institutions that we should be rallying behind to support for a fair and transparent election.
“If a former President undermines their credibility without any concrete evidence, it is not just irresponsible; it’s a direct threat to our nation’s democratic health.”
She called on all political parties, including the NDC, to exercise restraint and prioritize the national interest over political gain.
“There is a time and place for political disagreement, and our democratic system allows for vibrant, competitive debate.
“But when that debate crosses the line into undermining democratic institutions, it becomes not just a political issue but a national one. Political leaders must lead by example and advocate for peace and national cohesion,” she added during a discussion on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen on Friday.