Barely four months into his administration, President John Dramani Mahama has faced a wave of accusations and allegations, many of them from the largest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
What began as a presidency praised for its promising start has quickly descended into a storm of controversies, claims, and alleged scandals that threaten to overshadow Mahama’s early gains.
From the alleged cocaine saga to claims of illegal dismissal, the Mahama government finds itself battling narratives that threaten to dent its credibility and popularity.
Critics argue that the frequency of these issues suggests a lack of control and accountability at the highest levels of governance.
Here are five major allegations, scandals, and accusations that have put the Mahama administration under intense scrutiny.
1. Cocaine, cash smuggling
Mahama’s government has been accused of cocaine smuggling and money laundering.
The allegations follow a demand for a probe by the Minority in Parliament after raising concerns over two flights suspected to be carrying Cocaine and an undisclosed amount of cash that landed in Ghana between March 20 and March 25, 2025.
Addressing a press conference on April 1, 2025, the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, said the Minority caucus intercepted an intelligence indicating that an air ambulance landed in Ghana without any referral of patients.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has shared video footage of an inspection conducted on the said aircraft alleged of carrying illicit substances upon its arrival in Ghana.
According to him, a Cavok flight arrived at Kotoka International Airport carrying equipment. The footage shows a cargo of oil drills and oil jerrycans imported into the country for specific purposes.
The minister emphasised that allegations of the flight carrying illicit drugs and cash for money laundering are untrue and should be disregarded by the public.
2. Obuasi killing
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President John Dramani Mahama have been accused of negligence, which has resulted in the tragic deaths of eleven or more people in violent clashes at the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) mines in Obuasi.
Hell broke loose at Obuasi, one of Ghana’s major mining communities in the Ashanti Region, on Sunday, January 19, 2025, when personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces clashed with some youth in the area.
For hours, reports indicate the mining community was more like a war zone, with gunshots ringing throughout the community as personnel of the army battled with the youth, who are believed to be small-scale miners.
The incident reportedly occurred after a group of small-scale miners besieged the mines of AngloGold Ashanti.
Early reports on the incident indicated that the deadly clash resulted in the deaths of 8 people, all of them being small-scale miners.
However, the Ghana Armed Forces stated that 7 people were killed in the clash. It indicated that all 7 people were illegal small-scale miners.
At a press conference in Accra, Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communication, condemned the wave of lawlessness and violent attacks perpetrated by NDC supporters following the December 7, 2024, general elections, in which the NDC emerged victorious.
The NPP emphasised that despite their peaceful concession of defeat, President Mahama and the NDC leadership failed to control their supporters, who allegedly went on a rampage, attacking government institutions, security installations, and private businesses.
3. Galamsey
The NPP has accused the NDC government of lacking the commitment to fight illegal mining (galamsey), leading to the worsening destruction of Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
At a press conference on Wednesday (March 26), NPP Director of Communications Richard Ahiagbah said President John Dramani Mahama‘s administration has not only failed to curb galamsey but has also allowed the situation to deteriorate under its watch.
“The fight against galamsey has significantly deteriorated. The NDC participated in conversations about tackling illegal mining before the election, yet today, they have no real commitment to fighting it,” Ahiagbah stated.
He alleged that illegal miners now operate with impunity under the NDC government, with some of them reportedly receiving protection from recruited militants.
Ahiagbah cited reports that illegal miners have taken over 44 out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, endangering the country’s environment. According to him, forests such as the Chenchemsu, Jari, Tano Inua, Asenyano, and Jimra reserves have been severely impacted in recent weeks.
“The rate at which NDC operatives are taking over our forests is unprecedented,” he said, emphasising that mining activities have also increased significantly in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve, where illegal miners recently attacked rapid response teams from the Forestry Commission.
4. Illegal raids of former appointee’s home
The Minority in Parliament has challenged President Mahama to immediately stop what they describe as unlawful security raids and intimidation of former government officials.
The call follows a raid on the home of former Bank of Ghana (BoG) Governor, Dr Ernest Addison, during which security operatives allegedly stole GH¢10,000 and jewellery belonging to his wife.
Speaking at a press briefing in Parliament on Thursday, March 20, the Minority Leader condemned the actions of National Security operatives, warning that such tactics threaten Ghana’s democracy and investor confidence.
“We call on the government to quickly bring a stop to these dastardly acts. These acts of intimidation and terror are relics of the past and have no place in our democracy. If they continue, people will feel the need to protect themselves, and that is dangerous,” he stated.
He stressed that while accountability is important, it must be done in accordance with the law.
“We are a nation of laws. Even legitimate investigations must be done in accordance with the law. We are not against accountability, but we are against human rights abuses, lawless conduct, and security excesses. These acts belong to the past and have no place in our democracy,” he added.
“We’re tired of the intimidation, the attacks, and the hypocrisy. We were told that Jakpa’s first attack on Ofori-Atta was not authorised today, the same Jakpa leading armed police, armed military, and so-called party thugs’ parade on the streets of Accra as security operatives terrorising and traumatising a respected Ghanaian citizen who has dedicated the better part of his life to the service of his nation.”
The Effutu MP dared President John Mahama to change the status quo and leave a legacy for which he would be remembered.
Aside from the EX-BoG governor, former Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta’s house was also raided by national security as well as former Aide-de-Camp (ADC) of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, DSP Issahaku Yakubu.
5. Mass dismissals of public workers
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on President John Mahama to issue an immediate directive reversing the Chief of Staff’s instruction that has led to the mass dismissal of public sector employees.
This follows the government’s decision to revoke all appointments made after December 7, 2024, citing concerns over irregularities in the recruitment process.
Afenyo-Markin noted that he had written to the President on the matter and argued that halting the dismissals would reaffirm his commitment to the rule of law and the constitutional rights of all citizens.
He also reminded the President of his campaign promise to protect jobs rather than terminate appointments.
“In Mahama’s campaign, he assured the youth that he wouldn’t come and terminate anybody’s appointment. For some of these appointments, the processes started way back, and eventually, the appointment letters were issued—some in September, October, November, and December. I have even seen termination letters for appointments made as far back as June last year,” Afenyo-Markin said.
The Minority Leader stressed that these dismissals were causing distress among affected workers and damaging the country’s international reputation.
“I have written to the President today on this matter, stating the facts and calling on him to intervene and stop the action of the Chief of Staff. These are Ghanaians who have been employed, and now they are being thrown out of employment onto the streets. We don’t need this as a country. It is not good for the image of the country, and it is creating deep pain among people,” he added.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
