Akufo-Addo’s bad governance can spark youth uprising – Victor Smith warns

Former Ghana High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Victor Smith, has warned that there could be a civil uprising following how the country is being managed by President Nana Akufo-Addo and his vice president, Dr. Bawumia.

He made this assertion on Dwaboase on Power FM and TV XYZ Thursday morning while commenting on the calls for the President to halt illegal mining to save the country’s forest reserves and river bodies.

Currently, most of the country’s forest reserves have been destroyed by illegal miners in about five regions, sparking anger among civil society organizations and many social media users.

Victor Smith believes Akufo-Addo’s appointees are neck-deep in the canker and has called for swift management of the situation, else there could be agitations among the youth.

He noted that the anger stemming from the government’s reluctance to tackle the menace can trigger sporadic disturbances in the country.

Street Protests

Recently, a group known as Democracy Hub hit the streets of Accra to protest against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

The 3-day demonstration resulted in the arrest of over 40 protesters.

The action of the Police Service has received widespread condemnation. Popular among those who have harshly criticized the authorities holding back the protesters are former President John Mahama, who is Ghana’s opposition leader, and some CSOs such as the Center for Democratic Development (CDD).

Akufo-Addo’s Stance

President Akufo-Addo at the UN General Assembly spoke strongly against global emissions and climate change.

He called for the need to put measures in place globally to ensure environmental protection.

Before his speech at the UN Assembly, Akufo-Addo was met with a street protest from Ghanaians living in New York.

They said Akufo-Addo does not practice what he preaches on global platforms.

Their incessant chants echoed their grievances: “Stop illegal mining in Ghana.”

Others said, “Release the protesters now! Stop holding them without legal representation. Stop holding them without medical attention. Stop holding them without food and water.”

One protester exclaimed, “Ghana’s president is involved in illegal mining, arresting protesters without legal representation and holding them for days without food and water. And he is here talking about environmental issues. Stop illegal mining!”

The Reality

Reacting to all these concerns and the refusal of Ghana’s Electoral Commission to conduct a forensic audit of the 2024 Provisional Voters Register, Ambassador Smith said he agreed with the protesters and the NDC.

To him, there is evidence that the voter register is fraught with irregularities, including unauthorized voter transfers, missing data, and deleted voter entries.

Ambassador Smith said these developments, especially the heightening of illegal mining, were not good for the peaceful nature of the country.

“When the youth of the country come together as a force, you can’t stand. They could end up with a popular uprising,” he told host Kwame Minkah.

Ambassador Smith also warned that the EC Boss may not be able to contain the heat when Ghanaians become agitated by the reluctance of the electoral management body to audit the voter register.

According to him, the NDC has large numbers and can stop the elections if the EC fails to do what is right and ensure the election is transparent, free, and fair.

“The auditing has to be done and it must be forensic…We don’t have to use the EC to do that job,” stated the former High Commissioner.

Warning the EC leadership to sit up, Ambassador Smith cautioned, “Whatever they do, we must have that audit [of the voters' register]; otherwise, Afghanistan, Gaza, and Ukraine combined is what will happen in Ghana.”

Concerns from Traditional Rulers

As pressure mounts on the Electoral Commission to conduct an independent forensic audit of the voter register to make it credible, there is also a concern for chiefs to take the matter up and intervene.

Recently, the Omanhene of the Goaso Traditional Area, Nana Kwasi Bosompra I, condemned the EC for its reluctance to fix whatever is wrong with the electoral roll.

Speaking on Dwaboase on Tuesday, the revered Chief called on fellow traditional rulers to speak on the matter to ensure the 2024 elections are peaceful.

“We are custodians of the land and we don’t have to sit aloof for some persons with parochial interests to destroy what our forefathers fought for,” he said while calling for all Ghanaians to be concerned about the matter.

EC’s Response

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) has again rejected calls for a forensic audit of the Provisional Voter’s Register.

The EC on Thursday, September 26, argued that the legal and administrative processes established to clean the register have not been fully exhausted, and thus a forensic audit is not justified at this stage.

“As a Commission, we are of the view that the existing legal and administrative processes for cleaning the PVR have not been fully exhausted to justify the call for a forensic audit,” the EC stated.