The former president and NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has stated that the presidency is a serious affair and should be entrusted to serious individuals.

He expressed concern over how some individuals have taken matters lightly and indirectly criticised Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for various misfortunes.

He questioned why the latter would claim credit for positive outcomes but not accept responsibility for poor governance.

Mahama emphasized that Ghanaians are facing critical times, and this is not the moment for levity.

He revealed that there is no room for outdated lies and hollow catchphrases, insisting that genuine efforts are needed to alleviate the suffering of Ghanaians rather than shirking essential duties and offering vain promises.

The former president expressed bewilderment at the thought of someone who has been a key player in leading the nation into a predicament now attempting to escape from the mess they have created and resorting to baseless promises. He declared that now is not the time for jokes or entrusting the mystical steering wheel to someone who is actually responsible but unable to manage it.

"The presidency cannot be given to those who portray themselves as the future while they have been the centre of our current hardships," he stated. "It is an affront to the intelligence of Ghanaians. You cannot take credit at one moment and then disregard your responsibilities the next. Empty slogans and desperate promises have no place in the nation's leadership," he added.

Mahama made these comments while delivering a public lecture at the Christian Service University College (CSUC) in Kumasi on Wednesday. The lecture was part of the school's 50th-anniversary celebrations and was themed 'The Sustainability of Democracy in Africa: The Ghanaian Experience.'