Ghana Should Redefine Transition Politics – Hon. Michael Amoah Awuku
Hon. Michael Amoah Awuku, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Atwima Nwabiagya, has expressed concerns about the growing mistrust between Ghanaians and politicians, warning that such attitudes could lead to significant challenges for the nation as the results of political transition.
Speaking in an interview with Wofa Kofi Appiah on Kessben Adwenkyere, Hon. Awuku emphasized the importance of democracy, which has allowed Ghanaians to freely participate in elections to select their leaders. According to him, the recurring issue arises when people’s responses to leadership decisions depend on whether or not they benefit from them. He remarked, “When decisions favor them, they praise the system, but when they don’t, they criticize it. This inconsistency creates problems for the nation”.
Hon. Awuku noted that elections are held every four years to elect leaders who are expected to serve the nation within their stipulated time in office. He questioned the backlash faced by politicians making appointments during their tenure, emphasizing that as long as the actions are constitutionally permitted, there should be no controversy.
“If the law does not prevent you from making appointments during your term and you are acting within the legal framework, then there is no issue,” he asserted. He further pointed out that the timing of such decisions whether during a transition period or at the start of a tenure should not matter as long as they comply with the constitution.
Citing examples from former President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, Hon. Awuku recalled how in 2016, during his final days in office, Mahama appointed Daniel Yaw Domelevo as the Auditor-General, a director for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and also increased the allowances of National Service personnel. According to Hon. Awuku, these decisions were made within Mahama’s legal term in office, yet they were heavily scrutinized by his political opponents.
He argued, “If it was acceptable for Mahama to make such decisions during his tenure, why should it be an issue when others in similar positions do the same? We must be consistent in our judgments.”
The MCE called on Ghanaians to prioritize national unity and integrity over partisan biases. He urged citizens to avoid double standards, saying, “We must let integrity guide us. We shouldn’t support something when it suits us and oppose it when it doesn’t.”
He further advised that the country should reach a consensus on matters related to transition periods, particularly when decisions made by an outgoing government could significantly impact an incoming administration. “If we’re engaging in something that affects the next government, such as sensitive contractual agreements, we need to approach it carefully.”
Hon. Awuku ended by emphasizing the collective responsibility to build the nation. He said, “We have a mandate to develop this country. Let’s focus on the bigger picture and avoid trivial issues.”
Story by: Joyce Owusu Dankwah
