Promise you’ll hand over power if I win 2024 elections – Mahama to Akufo-Addo
Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has firmly stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo does not have the authority to decide the successor of his office after the 2024 general elections.
Mahama emphasized the importance of respecting the democratic process, declaring, “Please tell [President Akufo-Addo], it is not in his mouth to determine who he will hand over to.” He added, “He should just promise that when the elections are held, whoever wins he will hand over.”
These comments came in response to President Akufo-Addo’s recent rally statement, where he expressed reluctance to hand over power to Mahama, whom he had defeated twice in previous elections. Mahama countered, highlighting that the president must respect the choice of the people, stating, “…you can’t say you won’t hand over to John Mahama, if the people of Ghana say John Mahama is who they want and they elect me, you will have to hand over to me.”
In a related development, Mahama criticized Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, accusing him of targeting political opponents unfairly. During an interview with TV3 on July 30, following the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge the accused in the ambulance procurement case, Mahama argued that the AG’s actions have damaged his credibility. He said, “I think that this Attorney-General has been discredited enough, anywhere in the world, with the things we have seen, the coaching of witnesses, and discussions with witnesses, this prosecution would have been struck out as malicious prosecution.”
Mahama labeled the prosecution as malicious and biased, pointing out that the AG has shown little interest in pursuing other significant cases involving the current administration. He assured that if elected, his administration would ensure the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice focuses on accountability rather than political witch-hunts.
