Paul Adom-Otchere goes after President Mahama

Ghanaian journalist Paul Adom-Otchere has criticised President John Mahama for what he describes as a lack of media engagement and avoidance of press accountability since taking office.

Speaking on the Talk No Dey Cook Rice podcast hosted by Derick Elorm Ashilevi, Adom-Otchere lamented Ghana’s democratic structure, which he said does little to compel presidents to answer difficult questions from the media and the public.

“We claim our system is modeled after America, yet John Mahama, who became president before Donald Trump, hasn’t held even one press conference—while Trump has held 102,” he said. “It’s been six months, and President Mahama is yet to face the press. He may never do it.”

He expressed concern that President Mahama could continue the pattern of past Ghanaian presidents who stopped holding press briefings once the questions became uncomfortable.

“All three past presidents held, at most, two press conferences and stopped when questions began to hit too close to home,” he stated.

Citing former President Akufo-Addo as an example, Adom-Otchere said, “Nobody has ever heard Akufo-Addo speak about the National Cathedral. Neither has he responded to rumours that his daughter owns a restaurant somewhere.”

The Good Evening Ghana host called for a reform of Ghana’s governance model, suggesting a shift to a British-style parliamentary system that would make presidents more accountable.

“We need a system that troubles the president because he controls the national purse,” he added.