What does an elected civilian president have to do with coup leaders? – Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah fires Mahama

Media personality Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah has raised concerns over President John Dramani Mahama’s alleged dealings with coup leaders in the Sahel region, particularly regarding Ghana’s gold reserves.

Speaking on his show For the Records on April 1, 2025, Afrifa-Mensah claimed that Mahama’s ties with these leaders might be influenced by Russian interests, suggesting that Ghana’s gold could be at stake.

He questioned why Mahama had not appointed ambassadors since taking office but had assigned Gbevlo Lartey to handle affairs in the Sahel.

He further asked which country Mahama might have mortgaged Ghana’s gold to and why he was urgently seeking gold resources. Afrifa-Mensah called on NDC Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi for answers.

The concerns come after Mahama’s recent visits to Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, where he met their leaders.

While the government describes these visits as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between ECOWAS and the Sahel nations, Afrifa-Mensah believes they warrant further scrutiny.