Dr. Tony Aidoo, a former Senior Presidential Aid and Head of Policy and Evaluation under the late Prof. Mills, offered his comments on the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as Ghana's next president, calling it a momentous day for the country.
Dr. Tony Aidoo was upbeat about the occasion, highlighting the ceremony's grandeur and the large number of dignitaries in attendance, even as he noted the difficulties the nation faces. This degree of foreign engagement, he said, suggests Ghana may make a comeback to the world diplomatic scene.
Nonetheless, Dr. Tony Aidoo did not hold back from critiquing the situation that the departing administration had left behind. He said that Ghana's current state is similar to a "second independence with nothing to build upon," and he blamed the previous government for sabotaging the country's development and regional ties.
In particular, Dr. Tony Aidoo denounced the acts of former President Nana Akufo-Addo during his last days in power. Akufo-Addo cut diplomatic connections with the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic just three days before his mandate expired, he noted.
Additionally, on a visit to the United States, Akufo-Addo accused Burkina Faso of hiding terrorists along Ghana's border, a move that Dr. Tony Aidoo called foolish and detrimental to Ghana's diplomatic credibility.
Such acts, he said, have left Ghana politically isolated and relations with important neighbors strained, and he questioned how a head of state could take them.
Dr. Tony Aidoo is optimistic that President Mahama's administration can improve Ghana's reputation both domestically and abroad in spite of these setbacks.
He was disappointed with President Mahama's inaugural speech's content, but he praised the remarkable occasion and its potential to improve Ghana's international status.
According to Dr. Tony Aidoo, the speech did not address the urgent issues facing average Ghanaians and was unduly diplomatic. He chastised the President for failing to be honest about the actual situation in the country, especially the serious harm the previous administration had done to the economy.
"President Mahama failed to provide a clear picture of the dire situation on the ground, despite acknowledging that the government cannot succeed alone and needs the support of all Ghanaians," Dr. Tony Aidoo said.
Using the example of how the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government led by Nana Akufo-Addo and former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had ruined the nation's economic foundations, he contended that the President ought to have been forthright and honest. Dr. Tony Aidoo feels that Mahama lost a chance to unite Ghanaians around the truth, regardless of the diplomatic ramifications for other countries.
"The President ought to have stated it honestly," Dr. Tony Aidoo argued. Whether it offends foreign sensibilities or not is irrelevant. He was purposefully set up for failure by the NPP government, and the people have a right to know the truth about their situation.
In order to restore confidence and togetherness among Ghanaians, Dr. Tony Aidoo emphasized that President Mahama must take a more direct approach to resolving national issues and that openness and honesty are essential.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
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