Professor Ransford Gyampo, a Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana has expressed deep concerns over Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, claim that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has distributed free tablets to all senior high school students across the country.
The renowned political scientist, in a scathing critique, expressed concern over the accuracy of the Vice President’s claims, adding that the statement could mislead the public and damage the administration’s credibility.
According to Professor Gyampo, the reality on the ground does not match the Vice President’s assertion.
“Dear Sir, I think we can simply say some laptops are being distributed to some schools and give specific examples of those schools that have received them, rather than your emphasis in this video, which gives an impression that you either do not know what you are talking about or you are simply lying”.
Professor Ransford Gyampo, Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana
Professor Gyampo further urged the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to verify claims before making public statements, to ensure they are factually correct.
Addressing the public and supporters who applauded the Vice President’s statement, Professor Gyampo called for the need for supporters and sympathizers of political parties to reflect on their own experiences before cheering political leaders.
“Dear those who were listening and hailing. You know you have your children in secondary schools and they don’t have these laptops. So why are you doing these to yourselves?”.
Professor Ransford Gyampo, Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana
He also called out the Vice President’s speechwriters, suggesting they are partly to be blamed for the misinformation, cautioning them to stop embarrassing the Vice President.
He emphasized the importance of the Vice President’s speech writers to provide him with accurate information in his public addresses to avoid public ridicule.
Verification of Information
Moreover, Professor Ransford Van Gyampo implored the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to personally verify the information given to him by his speechwriters before making broad claims.
He highlighted the importance of dealing with reality rather than hypothetical or exaggerated scenarios.
Professor Gyampo further stated that, unlike the Vice President’s claim on the distribution of tablets, it is not true that the current administration has given every senior high school student in the country a free tablet.
He also warned the Vice President for making unfounded claims, arguing that such claims could destroy his political career.
“You haven’t given every senior high school child any laptop for free. If a goat will die and hasn’t died, it is not a dead goat. Please speak to the facts on the ground. We can excuse your boss for reading only prepared speeches, but as you know, he is a goner. Rawlings knew how to do this very well. Let’s learn and speak to only the facts in this campaign”
Professor Ransford Gyampo, Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana
In conclusion, Professor Gyampo argued that if the current government has indeed started distributing laptops to some schools, such progress should be the focal point of communication.
He emphasized that perpetuating false claims could reinforce negative perceptions held by the opposition National Democratic Congress against the ruling New Patriotic Party.
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