2024 Election: Public university lecturers campaign for John Mahama in Ho

A group of public university lecturers from the Volta Region took to the streets of Ho, the regional capital, on Monday, November 18, to campaign for the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama.

The lecturers from the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and Ho Technical University (HTU) donned NDC colours as they marched through the principal streets of Ho, advocating for the key policies outlined in the 2024 NDC manifesto, with a particular focus on education.

According to the academics, their campaign was a response to what they described as the worsening state of Ghana's economy and education sector under the eight-year rule of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Dr Asantewa Tannor Patricia, a lecturer at HTU, speaking to the media during the walk, explained that the group had come together to campaign for the NDC and John Mahama to secure a change of government in the upcoming elections.

She argued that the current state of secondary education in Ghana was unfavourable and that they wanted Mahama to return to power to revitalise the sector.

"As people in academia, we have noticed significant flaws in our educational system. To correct these issues, we need to come together and raise awareness. At the tertiary level, we are receiving students who are not properly prepared by the SHS system," she said.

Another lecturer, Dr Stanley Nelvis Glate, stated that John Mahama was the only competent candidate in the December polls, and the intellectual community was rallying behind him to ensure his victory.

"The only person who is competent enough to earn our trust and secure our votes is Mr John Dramani Mahama. This is the consensus among us, the intellectuals," he said.

He went on to criticise Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also a presidential candidate, saying he lacked the necessary competence and trustworthiness to lead Ghana. Glate accused Bawumia of disappointing Ghanaians during his time as vice president.

"We lecturers will not support someone who has disappointed himself. We can play Dr Bawumia's own words to him, and now he is running away from them. Can we trust such a character? He has let down every Ghanaian," he remarked.

The lecturers emphasised that they could only secure a victory for John Mahama by stepping out from their campuses and engaging in active campaigning for the NDC.

At the central market in Ho, they spoke with traders about the promises of the NDC and John Mahama. The locals responded with enthusiasm, with many expressing concern about the high cost of living and hoping that a new NDC government would bring about positive change.

The lecturers plan to extend their campaign to other parts of the region, including Hohoe, Ketu North and South, and South Tongu.

The group, calling themselves "Lecturers 4 JM", has also been active in other regions of the country. Recently, the group in the Ashanti Region held a similar march, campaigning vigorously for the NDC and John Mahama.