Presidential staffer Beatrice Annan says the Mahama administration is offering Ghanaians a “refreshing” experience of governance, one that encourages open debate, welcomes dissent, and values honest feedback.
Speaking in defence of the government’s commitment to accountability and tolerance, Ms Annan said President Mahama remains one of the most open-minded leaders Ghana has had, especially when it comes to accommodating opposing views.
“I am a very honest communicator. Infact, the President I work for is one president who is more tolerant to dissenting opinions,” she said. “And in NDC it is very evident, you don’t need to tow a party line,” she said on JoyNews AM Show on Tuesday, October 14.
According to her, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) allows for independent thought, and party members are not expected to blindly follow directives.
“It is natural that when people have high expectations, and sometimes when you come into power, they are a bit impatient, and so they expect that. If you go behind the data, you will know that a number of people want NPP appointees jailed.”
Ms Annan, however, pointed out that justice cannot be rushed, stressing that the system must work within the confines of the law.
“Because of the ORAL in our judicial system, you can’t achieve that in 10 months. And so when you ask them to rate, they will probably give you 80. But in October 2024, they may rate President Mahama maybe 95. So it’s natural, and for us, that is a very useful feedback.”
She explained that public ratings of government performance are not about ego but about improvement.
“We don’t think that ratings are just to satisfy the egos of government. We think they are very useful feedback to ask what it is that people think that we are not doing well and what we can do better.”
On public scrutiny of government actions, Ms Annan cited examples of accountability, referencing recent commentary on the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative.
“Yesterday, even for some of the people like Professor Asare, you know, he’s been on the neck of ORAL. When the charges were filed in the National Service Authorities case, he says that ORAL is ORALING. So these sentiments are genuine. They are useful feedback.”
Ms Annan also praised the current administration for creating a safe and open space for journalists and media practitioners, contrasting it with what she described as a difficult past.
“We are enjoying and experiencing a very refreshing government, and as I sit here, I don’t know of any Multimedia journalist who has to fly to South Africa because you are on anti-galamsey campaign. All your journalists are here. In the past, Manasseh Azure practically even had to resign and be moving from one hotel to the other,” she said.
She described the current media atmosphere as one that truly reflects Ghana’s democratic spirit.
“We are enjoying a refreshing atmosphere. Anytime I’m watching different media houses, I’m so excited, I’m so elated because that is what democracy is about — the ability for people to give dissenting opinions. The ability for people to say that we think we rated you 97, but we think that now maybe you are 80 or 60.”
Ms Annan said such criticism keeps the government alert and responsive.
“The government quickens, we go back and say we are happy with this, we think this can be done better. And President Mahama has been saying it himself. The last time he met the CSOs, he told them, ‘Do not quench the fire. Keep the fire coming, keep the pressure coming, so that you will keep us as a government on our toes.’”
Ms Annan concluded that feedback from citizens and civil society organisations is essential to democratic governance.
“So for us, these ratings, if you ask me, are a reflection of what the people feel, and it’s a very useful feedback for us in government to do better.
- President Commissions 36.5 Million Dollars Hospital In The Tain District
- You Will Not Go Free For Killing An Hard Working MP – Akufo-Addo To MP’s Killer
- I Will Lead You To Victory – Ato Forson Assures NDC Supporters
Visit Our Social Media for More
About Author
