Dogs and Goats are animals that many in Africa are familiar with, and in Ghana they appear to be more than just animals.
These animals seem to be playing a crucial role in the political landscape of that country.
Ghana’s former President, John Mahama before the 2016 elections had claimed that he had a “dead goat syndrome”.
He simply meant that he was immune to criticisms that were thrown at him at the time from Ghanaian workers who were demonstrating.
His government then was under pressure from public sector workers embarking on strike and demonstrations to push through better working conditions.
Mahama at a point said he was unperturbed like the “dead goat”. Some say it affected his electoral fortunes leading to his defeat.
So when his successor, President Nana Akufo Addo recently also likened his posture towards criticism as a dog who is being given a bad name to be hanged, Mahama sought to create a humour out of it.
It appears the former President is warning that using idioms in Ghanaian politics could be counterproductive.
The former President on Thursday sparked a social media craze when he wrote on twitter that “Lessons in Ghanaian politics- don’t use idioms in relation to yourself. They’ll stick.”
Lessons in Ghanaian politics- don’t use idioms in relation to yourself. They’ll stick. pic.twitter.com/HRfp9r2VRL
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) August 2, 2018
Nana Akufo Addo had recently said that “I am aware that you give a dog a bad name in order to hang it, but this dog will not be hanged.”
The reaction from Ghanaians to Mahama’s warning has been huge on social media.
Dead goat pic.twitter.com/VJzk5hFHSW
— bra_tevez (@ben_ofori1) August 2, 2018
— Muktar Abdur-Rasheed (@Rashydeen10) August 2, 2018
Can’t this dogs be hang. 2020 ?? pic.twitter.com/vQNAGlpYhl
— Muktar Abdur-Rasheed (@Rashydeen10) August 2, 2018
Very true!! But a MISLED Dog is dangerous!!
— NDITSI WONDER Y. D. R. (@NditsiD) August 2, 2018
The best dog to describe him. Ur dog too fine pic.twitter.com/EuWiCKqxpf
— Yayra Koku (@YayraKoku) August 2, 2018
Shhhhhhh… Don’t let Ghanaians see/hear this pic.twitter.com/dFzuiZ9e37
— nãnï ?? (@nani_kiddo) August 2, 2018
— KWADWO KORANTENG?? (@kwaadwo) August 2, 2018
— #ProudAfrican (@francisdon2) August 2, 2018
This one too will stick no doubt. But please use the right dog next time. pic.twitter.com/bnyEg4gFpr
— Osman Salim Wa (@OsmanSalim6) August 2, 2018
Source: Africafeeds.com
