The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has called on Ghana's political elites to embrace accountability and change.

According to him, if the country’s democracy is to survive, drastic changes are necessary, therefore the next government must not continue with the status quo.

“Our people demand that we [political actors] be more accountable than we’ve previously been. I think this is the last opportunity for the political elites to turn the situation around. We’ve seen what is happening in other African countries.

“The youth of Africa are tired of the waste, the corruption the lack of opportunities, and lack of jobs. And so if democracy must survive then we need to do something more drastic. The next government is not going to be business as usual,” he said.

He made this assertion while speaking at a media engagement in the Volta Region on Friday, August 16.2

The flagbearer warned that Ghanaians have been patient, awaiting the upcoming election as an opportunity to make a change.

However, he cautioned that if a new government comes to power and repeats the mistakes of the current administration, the consequences could be severe.

“But if that change happens and a new government comes and thinks it can do the same things that the NPP is doing currently, I am afraid, something will give,” he warned.

Addressing members of his party, Mr Mahama urged caution in their popular rhetoric, ‘it is our turn’.

He reminded them that political power should not be seen as a turn for any particular group but as a responsibility to all Ghanaians.

“That is why I keep warning our people who say ‘we will win, NPP will go, and it will be our turn.’ Whose turn? So I warn them to be careful of their choice of words, it will be the turn of all Ghanaians.

“We will open the doors of opportunities to all Ghanaians. There is no use fighting for political power if we are coming to repeat the same mistakes the NPP is doing,” he said.