John Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has weighed in on the ongoing debate about whether a Dutch passport is more valuable than a PhD in Ghana. He argued that such a comparison is baseless and should not be entertained.
Speaking at a public lecture organized by the Christian Service University in Kumasi on the theme “Sustainability of Democracy in Africa: The Ghanaian Experience,” Mahama attributed the debate to what he called economic mismanagement by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
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He highlighted that this debate reflects a significant loss of confidence and hope in Ghana’s future, pointing to issues like corruption and the wastage of national resources. Mahama noted that there is widespread despair and anguish among Ghanaians, leading to social media discussions about whether obtaining a foreign passport for a menial job in Europe is preferable to holding a PhD in Ghana.
“There’s widespread despair and anguish amongst our people leading to an active debate on social media about whether securing a foreign passport to do a menial job in Europe is better than holding a PhD in Ghana.
“It’s the adversity into which our nation has been plunged, otherwise, there’s no basis for comparison between a Visa and a PHD,” he said.
He has therefore urged for a focus on restoring hope and confidence in the country’s future through better governance and efficient use of resources.
“Those whose glaring failures at economic management have sucked us into this vortex of despair despite their lofty talk in opposition and who now seek to flee the responsibility cannot be rewarded with the presidency in this deep crisis.
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“The presidency cannot be handed over to those who present as the future when they have the epicentre of our disastrous presence,” he noted.
He added, “Leadership that is honest and accepts responsibility for challenges rather than passing the back is the kind of leadership that sustains democracy.”
