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Akin to the adage which says “once the mushroom has sprouted from the earth, there is no turning back”, Ghanaian Clergy, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Academia and supposed neutral people in society who harassed the one-term Mahama administration out of power, interestingly are now the ones staunchly defending the three-month-old fumbling Akufo-Addo government.

While these bodies and personalities were very critical of President Mahama and his NDC-led government and did “everything” possible to march his administration out of power, they have suddenly become reluctant doing same to the Akufo Addo government even in the face of the many glaring faux pas.

Some of these supposed political neutrals have even resorted to shielding the NPP government whenever it comes under attack while others have simply refrained from speaking to the ills of the ruling party unlike in the past.

Whereas Ghanaians have roundly rebuke President Akufo-Addo for plagiarizing his inaugural speech, criticized the various error laden statements from the Flag Staff House, the physical assault of ASP Nanka Bruce by members of Invincible Forces right in front of the seat of government and attempts to belittle the achievements of Dr Kwame Nkrumah in the President’s independence day address as well as the “elephant size” Ministers and deputies; these supposed “neutrals” have either remained silent or have been rationalizing these unfortunate happenings.

These so-called neutrals of the Ghanaian society subtly and overtly led unrestrained onslaught on former President Mahama, blaming him for all the “negatives” that happened under his regime. They blame him for the increases in tariffs; dumsor, corruption; hardships, and even in times of force majeure.

They insisted the buck must stop with the leader of a country; hence President Mahama must take blame for all happenings in Ghana.

However, since Mr Akufo-Addo was sworn into office on the 7th of January 2017, these same people would rather be advising Ghanaians to hold Heads of state institutions and appointees of government for happenings in the country and to leave the President alone.

In many instances, even as the Akufo-Addo led-government came under harsh censure from the public; the clergy, CSOs, the Academia etc., abstained from taking on the NPP government as they did to the Mahama administration leading to its exit from power.

Paradoxically, they have instead been putting up spirited defense to parry attacks on the ruling party they clandestinely shepherded to power.

Though President Akufo-Addo himself has implored Ghanaians to criticize him when he is going wrong, the country’s clergy, CSOs, University Lecturers and others including the media have not only ignored the president’s call, they are most often heard explaining or rationalizing the president’s actions and inaction condemned by Ghanaians.

Their sudden change in behavior has forced sections of the populace to be questioning whether they are competing with government spokespersons as far as painting a good picture about President Akufo-Addo’s administration is concern.

“When Mahama was in power, these so-called neutral people were very vocal in criticizing almost all his policies and programs. Now that Akufo-Addo and NPP are in power, these same people have not only turned a blind eye, indeed; they have turned themselves in spokespersons of government. They are quick to say things to defend government when it comes under attack. Those who are shy of doing this have decided to remain silent even though they were very vocal when Mahama was in power,” Kofi Kyei Acheampong recently wrote on his facebook wall.

Ironically, the Christian Council of Ghana, Catholic Bishops Conference, Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Ghana Bar Association and other religious groups which were very critical of the immediate past NDC government have gone mum in the midst of apprehensions of President Akufo-Addo’s policies.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Accra, Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle; The Founder and Head Pastor of Life International Church, Bishop Gordon Kisseih; The founder and Head Pastor of the Glorious Word Ministry International Rev Owusu Bempah; Political Science lecturers; Civil Society Groups and several others have instead been explaining why the president took some decisions roundly condemned by many Ghanaians.

In an attempt to quell the public uproar that greeted President Akufo-Addo’s record breaking 110 Ministers and deputies, these men of God, Civil Society Organizations and some University dons have been calling on Ghanaians to hold on with their disapprovals.

Reacting to critics of President Akufo-Addo’s 110 Ministers, Bishop Gordon Kisseih recently said it is too early to criticize the President, insisting, he is still in the process of forming his government and does not warrant such early criticism.

Bishop Kisseih, particularly, urged the media to reduce their reportage on negative news and move their focus to issues that would help develop the nation. “The media has a large role to play in all this and we call on them to shift their attention to areas of development,” he added.

A Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Isaac Owusu Mensah has also jumped to the defense of the President, saying Akufo Addo’s 110 appointments are in order.

According to him the appointees were supposed to prosecute the government's agenda and considering the enormity of that agenda, it was prudent to appoint as many competent people as possible to ensure its effective prosecution.

“If I was the President, I will appoint a Minister of State in charge of the one-district one-factory and another Minister in charge of Free Secondary Education to fulfill the political objectives of the party”, he charged.

A non-profit CSO, Penplusbytes, also in a statement said the President may have genuine concerns appointing a record number of 110 ministers to help him administer the country for the next four years.

“Penplusbytes is deeply excited about the vision of Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to ensure progress and economic and social growth of the country. However, we have significant concerns about the size of this government currently at 110 Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial positions…” the organization stated.
A former Rector of GIMPA, Prof Stephen Adei, who didn’t disappoint his admirers in unjustifiably accusing President Mahama of practicing nepotism, gave a frail response to President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of the unprecedented110 ministers and their deputies.

According to Prof. Adei, he is as “surprised” as “everybody” but will rather tarry in jumping to conclusion since President Akufo-Addo knows the strategy he wants to rollout”.

When a section of the public started blaming the president for sudden rise in accidents, baffling increase in number of suicides in the country and mysterious deaths, Rev Owusu Bempah, who in past heaped all misfortunes in the country on President Mahama, said President Akufo-Addo cannot be blamed for unexplained happenings in the country.

He observes that the president is committed to his Christian faith and has always dedicated himself to it almost all the time wondering why people are trying to cast a slur on his image by linking him to occultism and voodoo.

“Don’t blame Akufo-Addo. He doesn’t associate himself with these ‘gods thingy’. He’s a president for all but a true Christian. He’s like a god; he is not discriminating against any race or tribe. We should never say Nana Addo has a bad spirit taking blood from the citizens. He didn’t go to priests to aid him win elections. He was with true great pastors, who helped him win the 2016 elections…,” he insisted.

Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle, who also in the past has been breathing on the neck of the Mahama government, is now urging Ghanaians to contribute to national development and stop the blame game.

He said Ghana had reached the stage where blame games were not necessary; instead we should focus on contributing to national development as individuals.

“We should stop playing politics with everything and understand that whoever comes to power is our leader, therefore our contribution is needed, and the contribution goes beyond financial contribution. Each and everyone have a role to play in developing the country, not the President alone,” he recently counseled.

Field President of Women Home and Overseas Missionary and Society of West Ghana Conference of AME Zion Church, Mrs Grace Love has also been urging Ghanaians stop exerting pressure on President Akufo-Addo to fulfill his campaign promises overnight.

Though same breathing space was not given to the NDC administration, Mrs Love assured that President Akufo-Addo as a visionary leader and a man of integrity would never depart and disappoint social contracts made to people of Ghana during electioneering campaign.