Former President JJ Rawlings believes the first gentleman of Ghana John Dramani Mahama hardly listens to advice.

According to the ex-military leader, Ghana finds itself in an economic quagmire amidst a worsening energy crisis because Mahama has turned deaf ears to expert advice.

“He listens… but whether he puts into practice what [he] is hearing is what I’m not too sure of,” Rawlings told the media after joining Mahama and other dignitaries to observe the 58th Independence Day anniversary in Accra, Friday.

“I think he’s quite an obstinate character too,” the first president of the Fourth Republic described the 2016 flagbearer of the ruling party – the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to Rawlings, it is entirely wrong to blame those around the president for the sad state of Ghana now. He called on Mahama to be proactive.

“There are pluses and minuses; there are areas of achievements and there are areas where we are suffering serious drawbacks,” Rawlings added.