🇬🇭GhanaWest Africa
Kwesi Pratt Jr. warns high cost of political participation excludes capable citizens from leadership
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Kwesi Pratt Jr., Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, has criticized Ghana's political framework, stating that the high financial demands of contesting elections, especially for the presidency, exclude many qualified individuals. Speaking on Pan African TV on April 18, 2026, Pratt highlighted that becoming president in Ghana could require mobilizing a minimum of $100 million, effectively sidelining most of the population. He cautioned that this system risks undermining national sovereignty, as candidates reliant on significant financial backing might become susceptible to external influence, thereby weakening the state's focus on national needs. Pratt also addressed discussions about a potential third term for John Dramani Mahama, questioning the democratic implications of concentrating leadership in one individual in a country of 35 million people. He emphasized the importance of mentoring successors and building systems that outlast individuals, rather than relying on a single figure. His remarks contribute to the ongoing debate about the credibility and inclusiveness of electoral systems across Africa, referencing recent polls in Benin.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadThe ECOWAS Council of Ministers has fully supported Ghana’s petition to the African Union against xenophobia and endorsed the Accra Next Steps Commitments on Reparatory Justice. Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced this after the ECOWAS Council of Ministers meetings in Sierra Leone. The Minister stated that the Council's backing demonstrates the regional bloc's commitment to unity, tolerance, and justice across West Africa and the African continent. He commended the Council for its support and reaffirmed Ghana's dedication to working with regional partners to advance African integration, pursuing the vision of a united and prosperous continent.
Must ReadRichard Naa Adjei Arthur, the General Manager of Aduanepa Fie Restaurant in Akyem Osino, has called for an investigation into an alleged incident involving military personnel. Arthur claims that soldiers stormed the restaurant, fired gunshots, assaulted staff and customers, and confiscated mobile phones. The incident reportedly began when a soldier confronted Arthur during a cleanup, accusing his staff of illegal mining. Despite police intervention, the situation escalated, leading to gunshots and chaos. Arthur stated that soldiers later returned to seize phones, particularly from those recording the event. He traced the soldiers to Kibi GoldFields, alleging they were deployed as private security. The matter has been reported to the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces has not yet issued a statement.
A rare photograph showing former Head of State General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and Major General Edward Kwaku Utuka moments before their execution has resurfaced. The image, shared by Adeyinka Makinde, depicts the two military officers hooded and tied to execution stakes at the Teshie Military Shooting Range in Accra, awaiting a firing squad. Acheampong and Utuka were executed on June 16, 1979, after being sentenced to death by decree of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council AFRC. The AFRC had seized power 12 days prior through an uprising led by junior officers and soldiers in the Ghana Armed Forces. General Acheampong, born in 1931, joined the British colonial army in 1951 and was commissioned into the Ghana Army in 1959. He served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Congo and became Chairman of the Western Regional Committee of Administration after the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah's government. Acheampong led the January 13, 1972 coup that removed Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia's government, establishing the National Redemption Council NRC, which suspended the 1969 Constitution and banned political activities. His rule ended in 1979 when the AFRC overthrew the Supreme Military Council government, leading to his trial and execution alongside Major General Utuka. The resurfaced photograph is noted as one of the few known images documenting their final moments.