The Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale has vehemently criticized Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s proposal to provide smartphones to Ghanaian youth on credit.
Mr Basintale, in a detailed critique, emphasized the essence of campaign tours, stressing that they should either focus on formulating policies by listening to the people or on showcasing a manifesto.
He pointed out former President John Dramani Mahama’s example, who embarked on a listening tour to engage with citizens and understand their concerns.
“For once, Dr Bawumia should pretend to forget about the lavish life he, together with his sister, Laraba, he appointed as gender minister. His brother Mumuni Bawumia, he appointed to the interior ministry, his wife’s father, Abu Ramadan’s father, he appointed as ambassador. His wife’s brother, Abu Ramadan, he appointed as deputy NADMO CEO. He should forget of the lives they are living for once, and focus on the people who were there, at the durbar to listen to him”.
Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC
Highlighting issues of nepotism, the opposition party’s Deputy National Communications Officer accused Dr. Bawumia of prioritizing the welfare of his family members over that of ordinary Ghanaians.
Drawing attention to the plight of the residents of “Krugu” in Dr. Bawumia’s hometown, Mr Basintale underscored the recurring floods caused by the Bagri Dam spill.
He lamented the government’s failure to utilize $12 million intended for the Pwalugu irrigation dam project, which could have mitigated these floods, further questioning whether smartphones were a priority for these flood-affected residents.
Economic Hardships
Furthermore, Malik Basintale painted a grim picture of the economic hardships faced by various segments of the population.
He noted that many Ghanaian workers, including teachers, have exhausted their salaries shortly after they were paid their salaries and are struggling to make ends meet.
He questioned whether such individuals would consider a smartphone on credit a pressing need.
“NABCO trainees are seated in the house, they have not been paid for 18 months till their dismissal. And to date, they have been crying for the Allowance. Do you think the next policy they want to hear, is for them to take smartphones on credit? No.
“Just say an unpaid contractor tuned in his TV, and saw Dr Bawumia, and he said let me listen to the head of the economic management team, you think that an unpaid contractor of millions is thinking of acquiring a smartphone on credit. No. School feeding caterers who are not paid. They have been crying at the education ministry knocking at their doors, and you think, what they think is taking a phone on credit”.
Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC
Unemployed Graduates
Malik Basintale also highlighted the dire situation of graduates from teacher and nursing colleges, many of whom remain unemployed despite multiple batches completing their training.
He shared a story of a student nurse forced to sell her iPhone to survive, questioning the relevance of Dr. Bawumia’s smartphone proposal to such individuals.
Agricultural Concerns
Touching on agricultural needs, Mr Basintale indicated that farmers in the Northern Region cannot afford fertilizer, with prices skyrocketing to nearly GHS 800 per bag.
He criticized Dr. Bawumia for failing to address these critical agricultural inputs, which are vital for the livelihood of the region’s farmers.
“The rains have started. June, July. By now, everybody in the north is planted. And all they need is fertilizer. And you stand before these people. And all you open your mouth to say is that I will give you, a smartphone on credit”, Malik Basintale decried.
Domestic Debt Exchange Programme and Financial Haircut
Moreover, Malik Basintale expressed concern for pensioners and bondholders who have not received payments due to the government restructuring of loans and bonds.
He described the dire consequences faced by these individuals, including difficulties in affording medications, attributing their struggles to Dr. Bawumia’s economic policies.
“These are responsible men, not because they were irresponsible men, because they lived good lives, and at a point, they had a bad, insensitive, visionless leader, like President Akufo Addo and Vice President Dr Bawumia.
“Dr Bawumia, as head of the economic management team, will go down in history as the worst, and the biggest regrets Ghana ever had; he will regret his choice of even being vice president. Because it appears as if he goes around adding pain to our current crisis”.
Malik Basintale, Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC
Responding to Dr. Bawumia’s justification for the smartphone proposal as part of a broader digitalization agenda, Mr Basintale questioned the practicality of such a policy in the current economic climate.
He pointed out that countries implementing similar policies were not facing the same economic hardships as Ghana, such as high unemployment rates and IMF conditions.
Mr Basintale contrasted Dr. Bawumia’s approach with that of former President Mahama, praising the latter’s detailed policy proposals during his campaign, which included a 24-hour economy and building refineries in mining areas.
He described former President John Dramani Mahama as a leader who understands the country’s crisis and has exhibited a willingness to address them, unlike Dr. Bawumia, whom he criticized for his perceived unseriousness and unrealistic promises.
He made a compelling case for more immediate and relevant policy interventions to address the pressing needs of Ghanaians.
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