A former Energy Minister and Chairman-aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Boakye Kyeremanteng Agyarko, is calling on Ghanaians to uphold the country’s democratic principles and values.

In an interview on Nhyira FM’s Kro Yi Mu Nsem, he acknowledged that Ghana’s democratic governance has some flaws that need to be addressed.

However, he stressed that these shortcomings should be corrected through democratic means rather than resorting to military rule.

“Our 4th Republic has been stabilized, and my humble appeal is that we should maintain it and correct every mistake in it, rather than reverting to a military regime,” he told the host, Barima Kofi Dawson.

Boakye Agyarko disclosed that he had the unfortunate experience of witnessing every coup in Ghana’s history, emphasising the adverse effects these interventions have had on ordinary citizens.

“I have witnessed every coup in Ghana, from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s ouster to the latest one. In my experience, military rule in Ghana and elsewhere hasn’t yielded anything positive.”

He said the perception of corruption triggered the coups but noted that corruption actually intensified under military rule.

He also highlighted the heartbreaking human rights abuses that occurred during that period.

“The suffering and abuse people faced were just heartbreaking. I pray we never return to that era,” he said.

He warned Ghanaians, especially the youth who haven’t experienced such turmoil before, never to wish for it.