Dec. 7 elections: Vote for change -UG Lecturers to Ghanaians

In a powerful call for change ahead of the 2024 presidential election, a collective of 250 lecturers from the University of Ghana has issued an open letter to the nation, urging Ghanaians to vote for John Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Their message is one of deep concern for the state of the nation, lamenting the decline of key institutions and the erosion of economic and social structures that once made Ghana a beacon of hope on the African continent.

The letter paints a grim picture of a country beset by economic mismanagement, corruption, and a deteriorating standard of living. With impassioned urgency, the lecturers detail the hardships faced by Ghanaians, citing the depreciation of the cedi, the destruction of water bodies, the plight of pensioners, and the collapse of indigenous financial institutions. They point to a healthcare system gasping for survival and educational infrastructure that is crumbling before their eyes. These issues, they argue, are the direct result of years of neglect and poor governance.

“As we approach the pivotal December 7th, 2024 elections, we feel compelled to raise our voices and urge you, the people, to respond to the clarion call for change,” the letter reads. The lecturers, who span various departments across the University of Ghana, emphasize that they are not motivated by partisan politics, but by a sense of duty to the nation and its future.

The heart of the letter is a call for a new direction, one that the authors believe is embodied by John Mahama and the NDC. They cite Mahama’s track record in improving education through the Free Senior High School policy, his leadership during Ghana’s previous period of stability and growth, and his vision for a 24-hour economy as the foundation for a hopeful future.

“This election is not about partisan politics; it is about justice for the eight innocent souls whose lives were tragically cut short in 2020,” the lecturers declare, invoking the memory of lives lost in the chaotic aftermath of a turbulent period. The letter continues, emphasizing the importance of restoring trust in the nation’s institutions and securing the future of Ghana’s youth—who are often left with few opportunities under the current administration.

The professors also issue a strong message to the security services: their loyalty should be to the Constitution, not to any individual or political party. This is a nation built on the rule of law, they remind the security forces, and that must be preserved at all costs.

A key moment in the letter is the lecturers’ explanation of why they have chosen to speak out, despite the often-held belief that academics should remain neutral in political matters. The writers argue that in times of national crisis, silence is complicity. As educators, they hold a responsibility not only to impart knowledge, but to instill ethical values and critical thinking in their students. How can they teach their students about good governance while watching the country’s leadership lead it down a path of destruction?

“We have chosen to name John Mahama and the NDC not out of partisan fervor, but because the evidence of their superior vision and commitment to Ghana’s restoration is clear and compelling,” the letter states, reaffirming that their endorsement is not a result of political loyalty, but a professional judgment on the future of the country.

This statement echoes the words of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, who said that the university must be the conscience of the nation. Today, the lecturers take up that mantle, calling on Ghanaians to stand firm and make history by voting for the restoration of the Ghanaian dream.

“Our academic credentials are not mere decorations – they carry with them the responsibility to distinguish truth from falsehood, progress from regression, hope from despair,” the letter concludes. “On December 7th, 2024, let your thumb speak for Ghana. Vote John Mahama and the NDC to restore hope, rebuild trust, and reignite the Ghanaian dream. Ghana must rise again. Ghana will rise again.”

The lecturers’ letter stands as a poignant reminder of the stakes involved in the 2024 elections. It calls not just for a change in government, but for a fundamental shift in the direction of the nation—a change that can only come through a united and decisive vote for the future of Ghana.

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Signed:

University of Ghana Lecturers for NDC

Also click below to read the full open letter:

UG Lecrurers -Open Letter to Ghanaians