Donald Trump and John Mahama
Former President John Mahama Mahama, since losing the December 7 presidential election, has put up behaviour that has got many Ghanaians questioning his democratic credentials.
To many Ghanaians, the only difference between the actions of Mr Mahama and the American leader is the decision by the former to incite his supporters to perpetrate mayhem on innocent Ghanaians.
Trumpism
Mr Trump, ahead of the American general election, levelled several accusations at the country’s election management body.
He also refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power at a White House press conference ahead of the general election.
When asked whether he would depart the White House peacefully, should he lose the general election, Mr Trump could not give a definite answer.
“Well, we’re going to have to see what happens. You know that,” he said.
True to his words, he refused to accept defeat after the American election, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud.
Same here in Ghana, Mr Mahama, ahead of the election, threatened that he would not accept the results of the 2020 general elections, if it was not conducted according to his dictates.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra in September, Mr Mahama claimed that the EC was preparing for a flawed election, saying he would not accept the results of such an election.
“It matters very little whether the situation confronting us is a product of incompetence, or malice or both. Our demands are the same regardless. We want to see fairness, transparency and integrity in the process leading up to the elections, including in this exhibition exercise.
“We in the NDC have exhibited restraint at all times in this process. Even now we are committed to doing so. But let me serve notice, once again, that we will not accept the results of a flawed election,” he said.
Demonstrations
Mr Mahama, since his defeat and in accordance with his earlier threat, has alleged that the election was stolen by the Electoral Commission for President Akufo-Addo.
To this end, he has refused to accept defeat, and rather thrown supporters of his party onto the streets to cause mayhem.
The women’s wing of the NDC on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 went on a street demonstration to protest the results.
They accused the EC of conniving with the governing NPP to rig the election.
Without any authorisation from the police, the women marched from the Amakom Roundabout, through some principal streets of Kumasi and ended at the Ashanti Regional head office of the EC.
Later, on Wednesday December 16, supporters of the opposition party took to the streets of Tamale. This was in spite of earlier caution from the Ghana Police Service.
The supporters claimed the EC had “cooked” figures in favour of the NPP.
On Thursday, December 17, members of the NDC besieged the headquarters of the EC in Accra. The NDC supporters burnt lorry tires on the main roads leading to the EC offices, forcing personnel of the Ghana Police Service to use water cannon to disperse the demonstrators.
One person was confirmed injured after the clash with the police, with some 26 others arrested by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command. They were later granted bail through the intervention of Mr Mahama.
As if that was not enough, supporters of the NDC over the weekend also protested in Kumasi and parts of Accra, with plans to protest in the Volta Region today.
Market fires
Also linked to the many protests are unexplained fire outbreaks at some major market centres in the country.
In less than a week, there have been fire outbreaks at Koforidua, Kantamanto and Kaneshie markets.
Already Police and Intelligence agencies have begun arresting persons believed to be linked to the alleged arson in some market places across the country.
Police sources say investigations have identified one Daniel Dah Kormlah, 41, as suspected to be involved in the Kantamanto fire incident.
A joint team of Police and Intelligence operatives left Accra on Thursday in pursuit of the suspect who was arrested at his hideout in Ho in the Volta Region on Friday evening at about 10pm.
Upon further interrogation, it was realized that the suspect was an active member on various political platforms, namely NDC Group Administrators, Renaissance Agenda 2020, among others.
Phone records show several conversations with other persons aimed at incitement to riot and possible conspiracy to attack other state institutions.
The suspect has admitted to the said conversations and to engaging with like-minded persons to execute some acts with the potential to breach the peace of the nation.
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