Ghanaian journalist Paul Adom-Otchere has taken a swipe at President John Mahama, accusing him of avoiding press accountability and failing to engage the media since assuming office.
In his debut appearance on the Talk No Dey Cook Rice podcast hosted by Derick Elorm Ashilevi, Adom-Otchere argued that Ghana’s democratic structure does little to compel presidents to answer tough questions from the media and public.
“We claim our system is modeled after America, yet John Mahama, who became president before Donald Trump, hasn’t held even one press conference—while Trump has held 102,” he said. “It’s been six months, and President Mahama is yet to face the press. He may never do it.”
He expressed concern that Mahama could follow in the footsteps of previous Ghanaian leaders who shied away from press conferences when confronted with probing questions.
“All three past presidents held, at most, two press conferences and stopped when questions began to hit too close to home,” he said.
Citing examples, Adom-Otchere noted: “Nobody has ever heard former President Akufo-Addo speak about the National Cathedral. Neither has he responded to rumours that his daughter owns a restaurant somewhere.”
He advocated for a shift from Ghana’s current presidential system to a British-style parliamentary model, arguing that it would enhance government transparency and accountability.
“We need a system that troubles the president because he controls the national purse,” he added.
Source: Derick Elorm Ashilevi
