President John Dramani Mahama has said he welcomes public criticism of his administration, including commentary on social media platforms like TikTok, describing it as an essential tool for improving governance rather than an attack to be resisted.
Speaking during an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Moscow, where he was attending the third Russia-Africa Summit, the President said feedback from citizens—regardless of political affiliation—helps him identify problems and hold his ministers accountable .
“I don’t mind if people tell me that I’m leading the country in the wrong direction. I’m trying to do my best. Criticism helps me to do better,” President Mahama said .
From TikTok to Ministerial Action
The President revealed that he personally monitors social media and sometimes contacts ministers directly after seeing complaints online. “Sometimes I go on the media and I see something, and I call the minister and I say, ‘Hey, my friend, what is happening in your sector?'” he recounted .
He assured citizens that their videos and posts do not go unnoticed. “So all your TikToks and things, don’t think I don’t see them. I see them,” he said .
To illustrate how digital feedback translates into government action, President Mahama cited a complaint he saw on social media about a bridge in the Ashanti Region that had reportedly been affected by illegal mining activities and washed away. He said he immediately forwarded the information to the responsible minister and requested action .
According to the President, the minister subsequently visited the location and reported that a blocked channel was contributing to the problem. An excavator was deployed to clear it and allow water to flow. “That is how you solve some of these things,” he said .
Background: The Achiase-Anumso Bridge Collapse
The bridge incident referenced by the President aligns with reports from the Ashanti Region earlier this year. The Achiase-Anumso metal bridge, which connects the Juaben Municipality to the Bosome Freho District, collapsed in mid-2026, crippling transportation and economic activity in the area .
Residents blamed the collapse on the continuous movement of heavy-duty equipment, though illegal mining activities were also ongoing in the enclave. A temporary attempt to restore access by dumping sand into the collapsed section worsened the situation by blocking the Mentu River and causing flooding during rains . The Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Eunice Ohenewaa Ansu, had pledged the government’s commitment to reconstructing the bridge .
New Media as a Governance Tool
President Mahama framed the growing influence of digital platforms as a net positive for governance. “The new media is an advantage because it gives us information in real time,” he said .
He urged Ghanaians to speak up whenever they identify warning signs in the country’s leadership, stressing that accountability should transcend partisan considerations. “The more we see the danger signs that somebody is leading us the wrong way, we must, all of us, not based on partisan leanings, all of us must say no, we’re not going in the right direction,” he said .
The President’s remarks came during a broader Moscow visit that included bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the Russia-Africa Summit, as well as honorary doctorate ceremonies at two Russian universities . His message to the diaspora community appeared designed to project an image of openness and responsiveness—a leader who not only tolerates scrutiny but actively uses it to govern.
