A senior lecturer and Dean of the Faculty of Integrated Communication Sciences at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UNIMAC), Dr Daniel Odoom, has said the violent protest in Kenya could occur in Ghana.
Dr Odoom pointed out that President William Ruto’s recent decision to dismiss all his Ministers and the Attorney-General was not a decision he wanted to make but was driven by intense pressure from Kenyan youths and the general populace.
The protest over a tax bill on June 25, 2024, resulting in over 22 fatalities.
This forced President Ruto to withdraw the unpopular tax bill and directed Principal Secretaries to supervise the Ministries, sparing only Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary.
Speaking to Adom News, Dr. Odoom said a similar situation could arise in Ghana if the youth mobilize against decisions they oppose.
“In Ghana, a similar scenario could unfold if African youth mobilize against their leaders to advocate for decisions that benefit them. In such a situation, it’s probable that the leaders would be unable to resist and would be compelled to listen,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of learning from the events in Kenya rather than dismissing them.
“Waiting until protests escalate and lives are lost before taking action should serve as a valuable lesson for our nation,” he stated.
Dr. Odoom added that, excessive taxation during crises can exacerbate public discontent, urging African leaders to avoid such measures.
“We should learn from what has happened in Kenya and avoid dismissing it as irrelevant,” he advised.
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