John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing debate about whether getting a Dutch passport is better than having a PhD in Ghana. According to Mahama, this debate is a direct result of the widespread despair among Ghanaians due to the economic hardships caused by the current government led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Christian Service University in Kumasi, Mahama emphasized that such a debate should not be allowed to continue, as there is no real basis for comparing a foreign passport to a PhD. The lecture, titled “Sustainability of Democracy in Africa: The Ghanaian Experience,” provided a platform for Mahama to express his concerns about the current state of the nation.
Mahama argued that the debate reflects a growing sense of hopelessness and a loss of confidence in Ghana’s future, which he attributes to the economic challenges, corruption, and wastage of national resources by the current administration. He stated, “There’s widespread despair and anguish amongst our people leading to an active debate on social media about whether securing a foreign passport to do a menial job in Europe is better than holding a PhD in Ghana. It’s the adversity into which our nation has been plunged, otherwise, there’s no basis for comparison between a Visa and a PHD.”
The former president also cautioned against handing over the presidency to those who are at the center of the current economic crisis, suggesting that they are unfit to lead the country out of the present difficulties. Mahama emphasized that the only way to sustain democracy in Ghana and Africa is through leadership that prioritizes truth and honesty in their dealings with the citizens.
“Those whose glaring failures at economic management have sucked us into this vortex of despair despite their lofty talk in opposition and who now seek to flee the responsibility cannot be rewarded with the presidency in this deep crisis. The presidency cannot be handed over to those who present as the future when they have the epicentre of our disastrous presence,” Mahama asserted.
He further stressed the importance of having leaders who are honest and willing to accept responsibility for the challenges facing the nation, rather than shifting blame onto others. According to Mahama, “Leadership that is honest and accepts responsibility for challenges rather than passing the back is the kind of leadership that sustains democracy.”
The public lecture, which was part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Christian Service University, provided an opportunity for Mahama to share his perspectives on the current state of democracy in Ghana and Africa as a whole. As the nation grapples with economic hardships and political uncertainties, Mahama’s words serve as a reminder of the crucial role that responsible and honest leadership plays in sustaining democratic institutions and ensuring the well-being of citizens.
