Long for Military rule is concerning but not surprising - Mahama

Flagbearer of Ghana's main opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC), John Dramani Mahama says the the recent calls by Ghanaian youth for the country to revert to the military era as an escape from the current economic hardship is concerning but not surprising.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary public event of the Christian Service University in Kumasi, Ghana on the theme "Sustainability of Democracy: The Ghanaian Experience in Africa", the former president called for an honest retrospection and revaluation into Ghana's democratic and economic culture.

According to him, many Ghanaians feel they have not benefited from or partaken in the democratic dividend and a disgruntled youth is a ticking time bomb.

"Ghanaian businesses are also collapsing as their operations become unsustainable, buffeted by a rapidly depreciating cedi and soaring interest rates. The 2021 population and housing census revealed that a staggering 33% of Ghanaians between the ages of 15 and 24 are without jobs.The unemployment situation has worsened as several multinational companies relocated from Ghana to neighbouring countries due to the deteriorating economic situation. Millions of educated young people without jobs or a source of livelihood represent a ticking time bomb", he cautioned.

Mr. Mahama further went ahead to emphasize the implications of economic hardships on the youth.

"They are likely to embrace any events that seem to liberate them from their current predicament. A restless, youthful population deprived of opportunities always offers a spark for instability and other forms of disruption to thrive, especially during times of economic hardship brought on by years of mismanagement and institutionalised corruption" he added.

The former president also weighed in on the debate over whether obtaining a Dutch passport is better than a PhD in Ghana and attributed it to the economic mismanagement of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The debate was sparked after a Netherlands-based Ghanaian claimed that his Dutch passport offers more opportunities than a Ghanaian PhD holder.

" Unspeakable corruption, nepotism, brazen theft, waste of national resources, impunity, and general criminality have become the hallmarks of Ghana’s current government. An overwhelming majority would gladly opt to obtain the visa, signalling a complete loss of confidence and hope in our country's future" he stated.

The public lecture was part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Christian Service University.