Newly-elected leader sparks hope for Ghana’s future – analyst
President Mahama’s track record from his first term inspires public confidence, the local expert and entrepreneur has said
The return of John Dramani Mahama as Ghana’s president has reignited optimism, Ghanaian businessman and geopolitical analyst Victor Tibo Ouedraogo has said.
Speaking to RT in an exclusive interview, Ouedraogo lauded Mahama and expressed confidence in his ability to revitalize the country’s economy.
“We are so proud to see him back because he’s a man of the people,” Ouedraogo said, reflecting on Mahama’s track record. “Even though the financial and economic situation has deteriorated under the past president, people are hopeful that Mahama, within two years, will put Ghana back on the road to recovery.”
Ouedraogo emphasized Mahama’s development-oriented leadership, praising infrastructure projects initiated during his previous tenure from 2012 to 2017. Mahama is “a very serious man in case of putting the economy, organizing the country in such a way that things will go well,” he said.
The 65-year-old politician first came to power following the death of his predecessor, John Evans Attah Mills, in whose administration he served as vice president from 2009 to 2012.
Mahama secured victory in the presidential election on December 9 with 56% of the vote, defeating the ruling party’s candidate, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who garnered 41%.
On broader geopolitical issues, Ouedraogo criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent remarks about African nations’ “ingratitude” for France’s military involvement in the Sahel region. On Monday, Macron stated at a Paris conference that Sahel nations had failed to acknowledge France’s contributions in combating terrorism since 2013.
Ouedraogo called Macron’s comments “hypocritical,” pointing to France’s colonial legacy in Africa. “Africans have given their life to liberate France from the German war, the World War I and II. But we have never seen any recognition,” he argued.
“France has committed so many crimes against Africa,” Ouedraogo concluded.
