President-elect John Mahama has been urged to exercise firmness and discernment as he prepares to appoint ministers, deputies, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) for his government.

Nana Kweku Ofori-Atta, a security analyst, cautioned that lobbying efforts during this critical period could have significant consequences, potentially affecting the success and popularity of the new administration.

Speaking to the media, Nana Ofori-Atta stated that Mr Mahama must resist external pressures from lobbyists seeking to influence appointments in the incoming government.

“This is the time you see many lobbyists parading around the corridors of power to push for their favourites to secure appointments.

"While lobbying itself is not necessarily bad, it often results in square pegs being placed in round holes, which can destabilize the system because some appointees may not earn their positions on merit,” he explained.

The analyst highlighted the weight of expectations placed on Mr Mahama by the electorate, urging him to prioritise competence and integrity in his appointments to fulfil his campaign promises effectively.

Nana Ofori-Atta also pointed out the importance of Mr Mahama’s extensive experience in leadership, calling on him to appoint individuals capable of delivering the transformative change Ghanaians voted for.

“Given this, Mr Mahama must stand firm and decisively deal with the inevitable pressures that will come his way. More importantly, he has just a four-year term, and if any of his appointees misbehaves, he will bear the consequences and retire with the same blemish,” he noted.

He appealed to the president-elect to select appointees whose conduct would align with his vision and reflect positively on his administration.

“Since the inception of the Fourth Republic, appointees of successive governments have often been the source of scandals that disgrace administrations. This is not new, but Mr. Mahama must take extra care to avoid it,” Nana Ofori-Atta warned.

Additionally, he called for appointments based on merit, with a focus on individuals of untarnished character who would reject corruption and uphold the public trust.

“This is an opportunity for Mr. Mahama to demonstrate his commitment to good governance by surrounding himself with capable, ethical, and principled individuals who will support his vision for the country,” he concluded.