The Vice President and the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has come under rigorous scrutiny and criticisms following his address on Wednesday, February 7 2024 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra.
While a section of the public including some members of the academia, civil society and media have expressed doubt about some of the Vice President’s policy proposals during his address, his strongest opposition has been the opposition National Democratic Congress.
The former President, John Dramani Mahama, the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, the party’s National Communications Officer among many others have all criticized the Vice President following some of policy reforms, and further accused him of failing to take responsibility as the head of the government Economic Management Team.
The latest scrutiny of the Vice President’ maiden address comes from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta Region.
The party in a statement issued by the Regional Communications Officer, Sorkpa Kafui Agbleze, challenged Dr Bawumia’s claims and accused him of spreading falsehoods regarding the establishment of a fish landing site in Keta.
According to the opposition National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region, Dr Bawumia’s assertions, made during his public lecture at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) on February 7th, 2024, are characterized as a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.
The Regional Communications Officer of the party strongly posited that there is no concrete evidence supporting the existence of a fish landing site project in Keta or anywhere else in the Volta Region, contrary to the Vice President’s bold claims in paragraph 31, page 16 of his presentation.
Recounting the controversy surrounding the alleged fish landing site in the region, Mr Agbleze noted that the idea of the project dates back to November 7th, 2019, during the Hogbetsotso Festival of the Anlos when Dr. Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, mentioned the project in a speech delivered on behalf of the President.
Mr Agbleze further revealed that subsequent community engagements over the Keta fish landing site happened in October 2020, which was led by the Deputy Minister of Fisheries, the Volta Regional Minister, and representatives from the Transport Ministry and the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA), aimed to raise awareness about the proposed project.
According to the National Democratic Congress Regional Communications Officer even though in March 2023, a non-governmental organization called Friends of the Nation, alongside representatives of the Keta Municipal Assembly, conducted further community engagements in Kedzikope to discuss the potential benefits of the fish landing site project, the project has not materialized.
Volta NDC Accuses VEEP Of Peddling ‘Lies’ To Score Political Points
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region in its statement criticized the Vice President, Dr. Mahmudu Bawumia for what it describes as the former pattern of resorting to deliberate ‘lies’ and ‘misinformation’ to score political points, particularly on issues affecting the Volta Region.
The statement of the party strongly asserted that such an approach by the New Patriotic Party flagbearer not only undermines the trust of the electorate but also demonstrates a lack of respect for the people and their right to accurate information.
The National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region thus called for honest and transparent leadership and expressed disappointment in what it views as false promises and deception aimed at gaining political advantage.
The statement also underscored the New Patriotic Party flagbearer’s role as Chairman of the current government Economic Management Team (EMT) and accused the Vice President of failing to deliver sound and prudent economy policies and programs for the benefit of Ghanaians.
In a direct call to the ruling New Patriotic Party and its flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region cautioned them to refrain from spreading falsehoods when addressing the public and further urged the media and the public to remain vigilant, scrutinizing claims made by all political leaders to ensure only the truth prevails as the 2024 Elections approach.
As the country’s political landscape heats up ahead of the December 7 polls, the National Democratic Congress in the Volta Region reiterated its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and honesty in governance.
The party also pledged to continue exposing and challenging any attempts to mislead the public for political gain, calling on well-meaning citizens to join in the quest for a more truthful and equitable Ghana.
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