The Managing Director of Intercity STC Coaches Limited, Nana Akomea is asking the Dean of the University of Ghana Faculty, Professor Raymond Atuguba to withdraw his coup comments and apologise to Ghanaians.
Speaking on ‘Good Morning Ghana’ on Metro TV today, he said despite the difficult times, there was no point in recommending a military takeover.
According to him, coups only happen in countries that have no constitutional means of electing or changing a government.
He noted that Prof. Atuguba comments could only be appreciated when there are no alternative solutions to the worst economic situation.
“The good Professor Atuguba I think needs to withdraw his comments and apologize. Anything you say that will promote an unconstitutional change if government is disallowed by the constitution because in the political space we have today there is a prescription for change of government so if you don’t go by that prescription and you prescribe something else the constitution frowns upon it.
“So there are difficulties, but you don’t prescribe the possibility of a coup which is an unconstitutional takeover of government. The only time you may make such prescriptions is when there is no other way to change the government. That’s the only time that kind of statement can make sense and be tolerated,” he told the host.
He added that, if the basis for the good Atuguba’s pronouncement were economic hardships, Ghanaians already have the chance to change or maintain the government every four years since 1992.
“Economic conditions may move the Ghanaian voter to change the government and the Ghanaian voter has done that since 1992. The Ghanaian voter changed government because they were not satisfied with conditions whether it was economic or whatever. They changed government in the year 2000, 2008 and 2016 even with an incumbent president and so there is a clear and tested path.”
His comment follows a public forum organised by Solidaire Ghana on February 28, where Professor Raymond Atuguba said Ghana is ripe for coup if something is not immediately done to avert it.
“We do not want coup in this country but if we do not act quickly we may have one in our hands. There is one thing to do now, prevent coup in Ghana since the climate and the environment, national and immediate international, are conducive for one. We must compel the government to acknowledge the current economic mess, they mostly, and previous governments, to a larger extent.
“Ghana’s economic problems started before Covid-19. On balance, Covid-19 was a good thing for Africa and Ghana.” he said at the forum.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Adansi Asokwa, Kobina Tahir (KT) Hammond has taken a swipe at Prof. Atuguba for his ‘Ghana’s rise for coup prediction.’
He described the comments of the Law Professor as foolish and irresponsible.
Hon. KT Hammond said he will be surprised if Raymond Atubiga is not invited by the police for inciting coup.
“If the people do not like the NPP administration because they feel that we messed up it is for the people of the country to pass their judgement, it is not for the person who thinks he knows the law and who thinks he has studied the law to go about and brandishing foolishness like that. I will be surprised if they have not already invited him. Clear foolishness,” he stated.
