Political loyalty and trust are fragile therefore Majority Leader must tread cautiously to avoid weakening the NDC’s credibility at a time when Ghanaians expect decisive action on matters of corruption and accountability. Hon.Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central and Majority Leader in Parliament, has received intense criticism following his controversial apology to the former Finance Minister. His decision to not only render an apology but also publicly reveal the identity of a security officer involved in the raid has raised concerns about security, political strategy, and the trust Ghanaians placed in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in December 2024
An Apology That Was Not His to Make- Betrayal of the Ghanaian Voter
It is not within the mandate of the Majority Leader to apologize on behalf of state security agencies. Security matters should be handled by security agencies, not politicians. In this instance, Hon. Ayariga overstepped his role by making a preemptive and seemingly unsolicited apology. The National Security, the Ghana Police Service, or any other relevant agency should have been the ones to address concerns regarding the raid. By taking it upon himself to apologize, he has not only undermined the authority of these agencies but has also sent mixed signals about the stance of the NDC government on accountability. More so, his apology appears to be politically miscalculated. The NDC rode on the wave of public dissatisfaction with the economic mismanagement of the former Finance Minister to secure victory in the 2024 elections.
Many Ghanaians voted for the NDC precisely because they believed that those responsible for the country’s economic downturn should be held accountable. By apologizing, Hon. Ayariga has inadvertently eroded some of the political capital the NDC gained from that dissatisfaction. Hon. Ayariga must understand that his actions could be interpreted as a betrayal of the Ghanaian voter. The former Finance Minister’s handling of the economy was a key reason why the NDC secured a decisive victory in 2024. Ghanaians wanted accountability, not apologies. By publicly expressing remorse, Hon. Ayariga has given the impression that the NDC is backtracking on its commitment to ensuring those responsible for economic mismanagement face justice
Compromising National Security
Beyond the apology, Hon. Ayariga’s decision to name the officer who allegedly led the raid raises serious security concerns. In a country where security matters are often shrouded in layers of bureaucracy and confidentiality, exposing the identity of a security officer involved in a sensitive operation could endanger not only the officer’s life but also the integrity of future operations. This move also raises questions about consistency in handling security-related incidents. When armed military personnel invaded Parliament in January 2021, top government officials at the time—including the Minister of Defence and the Minister of the Interior—denied knowledge of who ordered the invasion. If government officials in the past refused to reveal security details for national security reasons, why would the current Majority Leader go to the extent of exposing an officer?
Will He Apologize for Future Raids?
The ORAL Committee’s report has already been submitted to the President and transmitted to the Attorney General. This suggests that more raids and investigations will follow in the coming months. If this is the case, will Hon. Ayariga apologize to every former government appointee whose home is raided? Will he continue this pattern of premature apologies each time an investigation leads to the doorstep of a former official? The majority of Ghanaians who voted for change did so with the hope of justice and accountability, not political appeasement. If every probe into alleged financial mismanagement is followed by an apology from a top NDC official, then the fight against corruption and accountability will be significantly weakened.
Conclusion
Hon. Mahama Ayariga’s apology was not only premature but also unnecessary. His actions have raised concerns about security, political strategy, and the expectations of the Ghanaian electorate. Moving forward, he must be more strategic in his public statements, ensuring that he does not undermine the credibility of the NDC or the trust that Ghanaians have placed in their government. Accountability should be prioritized over political appeasement, and security matters should be left to the appropriate agencies. If the NDC truly seeks to deliver on its promises, its leadership must stay focused on the bigger picture—ensuring justice, not issuing apologies that serve no clear purpose.
By: Azure Imoro Abdulai
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