BY Issah Olegor
A startling revelation by former Auditor-General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo, has shed new light on President John Mahama’s private anxieties about the state of governance and public trust in Ghana.
According to Daniel Domelevo, President Mahama has confided fears that Ghana could face a possible coup d’état if his administration fails to deliver on its promises to the citizenry.
Speaking on Nhyira FM’s Kuro Yi Mu Nsem morning show, Domelevo disclosed that the President made the remark during a confidential conversation on issues of governance, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
“He told me plainly that if he fails to deliver good governance, there could be a coup in Ghana, and that even he and other former presidents might be targeted. He said this is his biggest fear,” Domelevo revealed.
The former Auditor-General, explained that the President’s concern reflects his recognition of growing public frustration and the country’s fragile democratic climate.
Mahama’s Concern Inspired by Regional Developments
Domelevo further recounted that President Mahama’s apprehension intensified after observing how Ghanaians celebrated Burkina Faso’s military ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, during his recent visit to Ghana.
“President Mahama told me he became deeply concerned after seeing how warmly Ghanaians welcomed Ibrahim Traoré. He said it showed that citizens are now demanding leadership with results, not just the rituals of democracy,” Domelevo added.
Burkina Faso, the northern neighbour, has experienced coups in recent past—events that have unsettled the region and raised questions about democratic stability in West Africa.
Ghana, long regarded as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, is now facing increasing economic hardship, corruption concerns, and waning public confidence in state institutions—conditions that have historically preceded military takeovers in parts of the continent.
Domelevo’s Warning on Weak Institutions
Domelevo, who was controversially forced out of office in 2021 during the Akufo-Addo administration over what many viewed as politically motivated reasons, has been a vocal advocate for institutional independence and integrity.
He used the radio platform to underscore the importance of strengthening Ghana’s governance systems to avert any descent into instability.
“No nation is immune to a coup,” Domelevo cautioned. “But it all depends on how the system is run. If we build strong institutions and empower them with the right resources and legal backing, corruption will reduce, and citizens will have confidence in their government.”
