Presidential Aspirant Richard Amegatse Questions Mahama’s Governance in Open Letter

By Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | June 25, 2026

Engineer Richard M. Amegatse, a declared aspirant in Ghana’s 2028 presidential election, has issued a strongly worded open letter to President John Dramani Mahama, accusing the administration of failing to deliver the broad-based transformation promised during the 2024 election campaign.

In the lengthy statement, titled “Ghana Black Stars, The Paradox: Passion for the Pitch, Apathy for the Nation,” Amegatse drew parallels between the high expectations Ghanaians place on the national football team and the standards citizens expect from political leaders.

The aspiring presidential candidate argued that while Ghanaians passionately support and criticize the Black Stars in pursuit of success on the pitch, similar public criticism directed at political leaders is often dismissed or met with hostility.

“People criticize the Black Stars because they love football. Citizens criticize governments because they love Ghana,” Amegatse wrote.

The engineer questioned whether the Mahama administration had truly fulfilled its promise to “reset” Ghana, contending that although some economic indicators have improved, many ordinary Ghanaians continue to struggle with unemployment, economic hardship, and limited access to opportunities.

Amegatse further alleged that political loyalty had become a more important criterion for appointments than competence, criticizing what he described as an overreliance on party loyalists in public appointments.

Using football as an analogy, he argued that national team coaches select players based on merit and performance rather than personal relationships, suggesting that the same principle should guide appointments in government.

“On the pitch, it is about competence, not loyalty,” he stated.

The presidential aspirant also raised concerns about youth unemployment and brain drain, claiming that many skilled young Ghanaians have become disillusioned and are seeking opportunities abroad due to limited prospects at home.

Citing statistics from institutions including the African Development Bank and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Amegatse argued that youth unemployment remains one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges despite government interventions.

He additionally criticized some flagship government initiatives, including youth entrepreneurship and digital skills programmes, alleging that political considerations sometimes overshadow merit in beneficiary selection.

The open letter also touched on issues of governance, corruption, environmental degradation linked to illegal mining, and the perceived concentration of opportunities among politically connected individuals.

Amegatse urged President Mahama to embrace criticism as constructive feedback rather than political hostility, emphasizing that citizens’ concerns stem from a desire to see Ghana succeed.

“Our critiques are not personal attacks. They are the earnest pleas of citizens who yearn for a Ghana that excels in every sphere, not just in sport,” he wrote.

The Mahama administration has consistently defended its governance record, pointing to economic stabilization measures, social intervention programmes, infrastructure development, and efforts to create jobs as evidence of progress under its reset agenda.

Government officials have also maintained that appointments to public office are based on competence, experience, and the administration’s broader policy objectives.

Amegatse’s intervention adds to the growing public debate over governance, economic opportunities, and political accountability as Ghana continues efforts to strengthen its democratic institutions and address longstanding socio-economic challenges.