Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo describing him as a leader who is against free speech.
He referred to him as a vindictive and autocratic leader opposed to the expression of free speech.
The NDC presidential candidate, during his Building Ghana Tour, expressed concern that teachers and headmasters in the Ahafo region are hesitant to voice concerns about school issues due to fear of victimization or dismissal.
Mahama highlighted the importance of truth over falsehoods in democratic societies, emphasizing that truth prevails even in early race competitions. He also criticized the perceived erosion of free speech under the administrations of Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia.
According to him, when he was president, he encouraged open dialogue, allowing headmasters and teachers to voice concerns when things were not progressing well in schools.
“They say when there’s a race between lies and the truth, the lies take an early lead. But eventually, at the finish line, the truth will be vindicated and the truth will win in any democracy. In any country, the right to free speech is very important.
“At the time I was president, we allowed people to speak freely, and so if things were not going well in schools, the headmasters and the teachers could complain and talk. Unfortunately, that changed when the Nana Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government came in.
“It was a very autocratic, vindictive government, and so if you were a teacher or a headmaster and things were not going well in your school or the educational system [and] if you talked about it, they would either sack you or they will transfer you. And so it instituted a culture of fear amongst public servants,” Former President Mahama said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
