‘You speak from both sides of your mouth’ – Nana Akomea slams ‘hypocritical’ Mahama over criticism of EC

Nana Akomea, Deputy Chairperson of the Campaign Team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticised the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, for his recent criticism of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC).

According to him, the NDC flagbearer, when he was president, stated that there was no way the EC could rig an election in favour of any political party. However, the former president and his party are now claiming that the commission wants to rig the election in favour of a particular political party.

Nana Akomea made these remarks in an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Morning show on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, adding that Mahama is being hypocritical in his continuous criticism of the EC.

“When the NDC was in government, Mahama himself told us that it was impossible for any political party to influence the election because of the systems in place. He (Mahama) said that due to the system in place, there was no way he could influence the election as president.

“He said that people criticising the EC should leave them alone to do their work because they are independent, and there is no way the EC can rig elections in Ghana for any political party. Now you are not in government, and you are saying that the very things you said the commission or any political party cannot do are possible. This is hypocrisy,” he said in the Twi dialect.

He added, “You go and stand somewhere and criticise the Electoral Commission. And all the things you are saying now when you were in government, you said were not possible. So, what has changed? You speak from both sides of your mouth.”

What Mahama said:

Former President Mahama, at a meeting with top clergymen and women on Monday, May 20, 2024, reiterated the NDC’s concern about the calibre of some persons serving as Electoral Commissioners, citing their lack of neutrality.

According to Mahama, the appointment of partisan personalities to serve at the highest level of the election management body was a matter of concern, and he called on the Christian community to oppose it as the 2024 vote approaches.

He pointed out how his successor and outgoing president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, had appointed members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as commissioners.

“This is a president who is appointing politically exposed individuals to positions of trust where they are expected to be neutral and non-partisan.

“People who have served as communicators for the party, those who have been IT backstops for the party, are now Commissioners of the Electoral Commission. How can we expect them to remain neutral and fair in their conduct?” he questioned.

“People who were patrons of TESCON on campus have now become Commissioners of the Electoral Commission. We aim to awaken the conscience of the nation to ensure that the right actions are taken so that the election outcome truly reflects the will of the people,” Mahama stressed.

Citing incidents from the recently concluded Ejisu by-election and the ongoing limited voter registration process, Mahama expressed concerns about the conduct of the Electoral Commission, which he emphasized was supposed to be the referee or umpire come December 2024.

“As we approach the election, we will continue to play our part. We will raise the red flags whenever we perceive that things are not proceeding as they should. We trust that the church community will also remain vigilant and ensure that the right thing is done,” he assured.

Some key clergymen at the meeting with the Ecumenical leadership of Ghana included Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Rev. Stephen Wengam, Rev. Lawrence Tetteh, and Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah.

Watch Nana Akomea‘s remarks in the video below: