Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has cautioned against the politicisation of Ghana’s democratic institutions, warning that short-term political gains must never come at the expense of the country’s democracy.

Speaking in a New Year message on Wednesday, December 31, that combined reflection on Ghana’s national journey with commentary on current governance, Dr. Bawumia said the strength of Ghana’s democracy since the advent of the Fourth Republic has rested largely on the independence and credibility of its institutions.

According to him, when political expediency begins to override democratic principles, public trust is eroded and national progress is put at risk.

“Let me stress unequivocally that when institutions are weakened, democracy is weakened. When institutions are politicised, trust is lost,” Dr. Bawumia stated.

The NPP presidential candidate expressed concern that recent developments have created anxiety among sections of the public about the fairness, consistency and independence of state institutions. Such concerns, he noted, should not be dismissed, as confidence is central to social cohesion and economic advancement.

“When citizens begin to worry about fairness, independence and consistency, confidence is affected, and when confidence is shaken, progress becomes harder,” he added.

Dr. Bawumia warned that Ghana must resist any temptation to compromise its democratic values in pursuit of short-term political advantage, stressing that there can be no turning back on the democratic gains made over the years.

“Ghana’s democracy must never be sacrificed on the altar of short-term political advantage. There could be no turning back for our nation,” he said.

The former Vice President also used the occasion to advise President John Dramani Mahama to focus on strengthening, rather than undermining, the institutions that underpin Ghana’s democratic order, arguing that strong institutions remain the surest guarantee of stability, unity and national development.