Akufo-Addo pledges to protect Ghana’s democracy and condemns recent coup attempts.
In the aftermath of recent coup-mongering comments in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo has reassured Ghanaians that he is committed to preserving the country’s democratic principles.
He remarked at the 65th Independence Anniversary Parade on Sunday that his organization will use all available methods to protect the country from anything that could disturb the country’s peaceful governance.
In this context, the President has criticized recent public comments that have sparked speculation about the potential of a coup in Ghana.
“The great majority of us who are committed to democratic values and institutions will continue to resist the claims of these adventurers and deploy all legitimate means in our democracy to maintain our free, open system of governance which has respect for human rights, the rule of law and the principles of democratic accountability, ” he said.
“It is either the absence of faith in the prospect of a democratic alternative to the current government or their impatience to wield executive authority are the factors driving their appetite for the shortcut of military intervention;” the President noted.
The President remarked
“Whatever the case may be, they appear willing to jeopardize our country’s hard-won reputation as a beacon of democracy and stability in Africa, and indeed, the world, in order to gratify their personal ambitions, ambitions that show little or no respect for the Ghanaian people’s capacity to change their government peacefully through the ballot box, something we have done three times in the 29-year life of the fourth republic,” he added.
The President also reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and accountability norms.
There have been significant discussions in the country about coups. Professor Raymond Atuguba, Dean of the University of Ghana’s Law Faculty, cautioned that the economy is going for a tough phase unless something drastic is done immediately to save it during a public lecture on a review of the 1992 Constitution.
Studies have shown that an ailing economy aids all successful coups d’états in the sub-region, he said.
“The economics plays a huge role in why some coups succeed and others fail. What is the current situation of Ghana’s economy? Ghana is bankrupt on the level of irreducible idiomaticity.
Passing the contentious Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy) Bill is one of the specific moves he sees as necessary to avoid a coup and the collapse of the economy. According to him, one of the reasons why Ghana may be ripe for a coup is the poor status of the country’s economy combined with the public mood.
In response, K.T. Hammond, an Adansi Asokwa MP, requested that the Police summon the Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law for suggesting that Ghana is ripe for a coup d’etat.
Professor Appiagyei-Atua, an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, disagrees with the legislator’s ideas.
He indicated that Prof Atuguba in his speech did not instigate or call for a coup but rather highlighted possible reasons Ghana may fall victim to Mali and others.
“I think merely using the word coup or making some analysis and concluding that there is a possibility of a coup should not fall into the realm of instigating an overthrow of the government. It should certainly go beyond that. If you look at Professor Atuguba’s comment and the speech he gave, I don’t think it falls to that level where you can say he is preparing to cause a coup d’etat. He is expressing his view on a subject matter”, he stated.
The Independence Day Parade this year was held in the Cape Coast stadium in the Central Region, and hundreds of Ghanaians flocked to the venue to watch the event.
