The weight of redemption: Why President John Mahama can’t afford to fail

Dear H.E. President John Dramani Mahama,

First off, hearty congratulations on what is already shaping up to be a historic return to the highest office of the land. Even before the Electoral Commission officially stamps its seal on the results, the concession by your main contender, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, underscores the clarity of the people's choice. Sir, the road ahead is both promising and daunting. As we celebrate your return, it’s imperative to take stock of the monumental task awaiting your stewardship.

Your victory, while significant, is not a loud chorus of unwavering love for your person or policies. It is, rather, a stark indictment of the current administration’s failures. The electorate has handed you the reins, not out of romantic nostalgia for the days of dumsor or a craving for infrastructural debates, but as an act of desperation. The people's fury at corruption, mismanagement, and unfulfilled promises has channeled their votes your way.

This is not blind faith; it is an act of protest. You, Mr. President, are the beneficiary of their anger and hope for redemption. The stakes could not be higher.

Your previous tenure was not without its missteps. The tag of "incompetence" haunted your administration, a label your political opponents wielded skillfully. Yet, time, as the wise say, is the ultimate arbiter. The very failings that once defined you have been dwarfed by the abyss into which the outgoing administration plunged the nation. From the depths of economic crises to the erosion of public trust, the bar was lowered to an unimaginable level, painting you as a saint by comparison.

But sainthood, however undeserved or thrust upon, comes with expectations. This second chance is not a blank check. It’s a lifeline cast by a disillusioned populace, a mandate to not only right the wrongs of the present but also to prove that you are not the man many once doubted.

This mandate is not yours to squander, Sir. Every step you take, every policy you roll out, will be scrutinised in a harsh light. The people are not looking for excuses or passing blame—they want results. The fight against corruption must be more than lip service; it must be swift and decisive. The economy, battered and bruised, needs urgent intervention. Jobs must be created, systems repaired, and confidence restored.

Your party, too, must recognize its position. This victory is not a ringing endorsement of its ideals. It is a second chance to rebuild a relationship with the electorate. The voter who queued in the blistering sun to make their voice heard did so not out of loyalty to your colors but out of desperation for something better.

Your redemption story is already being written, but the ending remains uncertain. Will you rise to the occasion, using this second chance as a springboard for greatness, or will history repeat itself in a tragic loop? The Ghanaian people have shown remarkable resilience and patience, but that patience is finite.
We are a nation in need of healing—a healing that begins with leadership that listens, understands, and acts. Your role, Mr. President, is to embody the change the people demand. To be the leader who understands that every decision made in the Jubilee House reverberates through the markets of Makola, the classrooms of Tamale, and the hospitals of Cape Coast.

As you prepare to be sworn in, remember that this moment is bigger than politics. It’s bigger than you or your party. It’s about people who have been battered by the tides of incompetence and are now looking to you to anchor them in calmer waters.

Be the leader who not only builds roads and bridges but also bridges the trust gap between the government and the governed. Be the leader who empowers the youth, fortifies our institutions, and restores the dignity of public service.

Sir, you cannot afford to fail.

The spotlight is on you, brighter than it has ever been. Ghanaians are watching, not with awe, but with skepticism. Prove them wrong, Mr. President. Show them that this second chance was not a mistake.
In your hands lies the opportunity to transform vindication into a legacy of leadership. May wisdom, humility, and a resolute spirit guide you on this arduous but necessary journey.

Yours in hope,

Nii Okantah Ankrah

Source: Nii Okantah Ankrah