The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, A Plus, has declared that he is pleased to see John Mahama serving as President, describing the moment as an opportunity for the country to reset its development path.
Speaking in an interview on Joy Prime’s Changes programme on Friday, March 13, the legislator reflected on his political journey, his frustrations with the state of governance, and his belief that Ghana can achieve far more than it currently has.
A Plus said that entering politics had not softened his criticism of the country’s leadership and institutions.
Instead, he revealed that his experiences within Parliament have made him even more frustrated.
“I am more angry than I was before I entered politics,” he said. “Now that I am in Parliament, I know that we can build this country. We should be able to build this country. I don’t understand why this country is where it is.”
The Gomoa Central MP also criticised the intense partisanship that dominates Ghanaian political discourse, particularly among young people who strongly identify with the two main political parties — the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to him, such rigid loyalty to political parties does little to advance national development.
“When I see young people out there saying ‘I’m NPP, I’m NDC’, I just laugh,” he remarked.
A Plus insisted that his political stance has always been independent and driven by what he believes is best for the country, rather than loyalty to any particular political grouping.
During the interview, the MP suggested that influential individuals and independent political actors play a key role in determining who eventually comes to power in Ghana.
“There are some of us — if we are not part of your government — you will never come to power,” he said. “Your foot soldiers can make all the noise, but when we decide that this person is coming to power, that is what happens.”
He cited his own political activism as an example, noting that he has publicly campaigned both for and against leaders depending on their performance.
A Plus recalled that he had campaigned against John Mahama in the past but later became critical of the administration of former President Nana Akufo-Addo when, in his view, the government failed to deliver on expectations.
“I campaigned against John Mahama, but when Akufo-Addo came and was not doing what was right, I campaigned against him,” he said.
He further claimed that he and like-minded figures played a significant role in shaping the political environment ahead of Mahama’s return to power.
The Gomoa Central MP also made comments about the political prospects of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, suggesting that any future presidential bid would require broader support beyond traditional party structures.
“Before Bawumia will come to power, you will need me,” he said, arguing that political strategy and influence from independent actors often determine electoral outcomes.
Despite his earlier opposition to him, A Plus said he now feels optimistic about Ghana’s prospects under the current leadership of John Mahama.
“I am excited that John Mahama is President of Ghana,” he stated.
According to him, the President’s current term could be defined by a desire to leave a lasting legacy, particularly because he has limited time in office.
A Plus suggested that the structure of Ghana’s presidential term limits can influence how leaders govern.
“Most people, in their first term they perform. But there is no incentive to perform in their second term because they are leaving,” he said. “So it becomes the ‘galamsey period’ — let’s just chop and go.”
The MP argued that Ghana’s development challenges require sustained leadership and strategic thinking that may be difficult to achieve within a single four-year term.
“I wish he could be President for more than four years,” A Plus said of Mahama. “It takes a lot of common sense, it takes a lot of wisdom, it takes a certain mindset to develop this country when you have just one term.”
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com