President John Dramani Mahama’s self-assessment of his first 120 days in office has been met with sharp criticism from the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who characterized the President’s address to the nation as a mere repackaging of old promises and a self-congratulatory exercise devoid of tangible achievements. Afenyo-Markin accused President Mahama of exaggerating his accomplishments in key areas such as governance reform, tax relief, job creation, and the fight against illegal mining, while conveniently sidestepping the nation’s most pressing challenges. The Minority Leader contended that the President’s address lacked substance and offered no concrete evidence of progress, essentially amounting to a self-administered exam where the President set the questions, marked his own script, and awarded himself a distinction, a performance that the Ghanaian people, according to Afenyo-Markin, are not deceived by.
The core of Afenyo-Markin’s critique centered on the lack of novelty in the President’s initiatives. He argued that the touted accomplishments were not groundbreaking policies but merely repackaged campaign promises or rehashed versions of pre-existing programs that had failed to deliver meaningful results in the past. This, he asserted, painted a picture of a presidency not charting new territory, but rather retracing familiar steps, recycling promises, and substituting accountability with self-applause. He dismissed the President’s claims of a fundamental shift in governance as mere rhetoric, unsupported by concrete evidence of transformative change.
Addressing the President’s claims on combating illegal mining, Afenyo-Markin launched a scathing attack, accusing the government of inaction and alleging that illegal mining activities had intensified under the President’s watch. He pointed to the continued destruction of forest reserves and alleged that foreign nationals engaged in illegal mining were being discreetly deported instead of facing prosecution. He further criticized the government’s approach to tackling the issue, claiming that soldiers previously deployed to enforce regulations against illegal mining had been rendered redundant, thereby exacerbating the problem.
Afenyo-Markin also expressed deep concern over what he perceived as the politicization of the military under President Mahama’s administration. He alleged that promotions within the military ranks were increasingly influenced by political allegiance rather than merit, a practice he warned could undermine the integrity and professionalism of the national security apparatus. This politicization, he argued, posed a significant threat to the neutrality and effectiveness of the armed forces, potentially compromising national security.
Furthermore, the Minority Leader criticized the President’s handling of the conflict in Bawku, accusing him of lacking both decisive action and genuine empathy for the affected communities. He contended that the President’s response to the crisis had been inadequate and failed to address the root causes of the conflict, leaving the people of Bawku vulnerable and without effective solutions. He argued that the situation in Bawku demanded a more proactive and compassionate approach from the government, one that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the people caught in the conflict.
In conclusion, Afenyo-Markin’s assessment of President Mahama’s first 120 days in office was overwhelmingly negative. He portrayed the President’s address as a performance of self-praise devoid of genuine accomplishments, a recycling of old promises, and a failure to address critical national challenges. From the fight against illegal mining to security concerns and the handling of the Bawku conflict, the Minority Leader painted a picture of a presidency falling short of expectations and failing to deliver on its promises to the Ghanaian people. He called for greater accountability, concrete action, and a genuine commitment to addressing the nation’s pressing issues, rather than resorting to rhetoric and self-congratulation.
