Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Gyampo has waded into the conversation regarding John Mahama’s ‘do or die’ comment.
Speaking on the Keypoint on TV3, he stated that one of the marks of a leader is ‘to say what you mean and mean what you say’, therefore John Mahama as a leader has failed to communicate effectively.
He also mentioned that owing from the interpretations some Ghanaians have made to the comment it will not help the country’s democracy.
“And I am saying that this is not quite good for our democracy.”
This comes after Mr. Mahama stated in an interview with Techiman-based Akina Radio, that his party has learnt a lesson from happenings around the 2020 elections and for that reason the 2024 election will be a ‘do or die’ affair.
“We have learnt our lessons from happenings during the 2020 polls,” he stated.
“The 2024 elections will be won or lost at the polling station. It will be do-or-die at the polling stations. The right thing must be done during the polls. We will win the elections at the polling station and won’t wait for collation centre results nor petition the Supreme Court if aggrieved, Mr. Mahama added.
Professor Gyampo added that already some Ghanaians whose education isn’t very high have made the meaning to the comment as it is.
“I talk to people to be able to write [and] to be able to earn a living and if you speak to people, this statement which is supposed to be harmless in the English Language has fired them up and all of a sudden, they are beginning to assert themselves and be talking about certain things that makes you believe that tomorrow if they say ‘Jack’, they will fight and they will want to do all manner of things.