In a sharp rebuke, the Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, of plagiarizing key policies from the NDC’s 2020 manifesto.
The opposition NDC firebrand, in a scathing critique, alleged that the NPP, under the leadership of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia deliberately copied over 50 policies from the NDC’s previous manifesto, presenting them as original ideas in their latest manifesto launch in Takoradi in the Western Region.
Among the policies he claimed were plagiarized are the promise of free tertiary education for persons with disabilities, the abolition of the controversial electronic levy (e-levy), the establishment of a women’s bank, and a $50 million investment in the Fintech industry.
“Bawumia has stolen our policies and put them in their manifesto. He’s bereft of ideas and solutions. Ghanaians deserve original ideas, not stolen promises”.
Malik Basintale, National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communiations Officer
Malik Basintale charged, expressing the NDC’s frustration over what he described as a lack of originality and vision from the New Patriotic Party leadership.
The Deputy National Communications officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress further argued that Dr Bawumia’s alleged plagiarism is indicative of his failure to address the pressing issues facing Ghana during his eight years in power.
“Bawumia has been in power for eight years and has failed to address the country’s challenges. Now, he’s resorting to plagiarism,” Basintale continued, emphasizing the NDC’s belief that their original policies remain the best solutions for the country’s problems.
Corruption Allegations against Government
Additionally, the National Democratic Congress’s Deputy National Communications Officer did not stop at plagiarism allegations; he also launched a scathing attack on the ruling government’s record on corruption.
He accused President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of being the most corrupt leaders in Ghana’s history, citing specific instances to back his claims.
“216 pages of their manifesto, corruption appeared only three times. It is an indication that their conscience was fighting them when they were writing their manifesto”.
Malik Basintale, National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communiations Officer
He pointed to the Special Prosecutor’s office as a glaring example of the government’s failure to tackle corruption effectively, highlighting what he sees as the NPP’s lack of commitment to fighting corruption.
“That office was what passed a verdict on Alhaji Bawumia to have stolen 10,000 bags of ‘salah rice’ from the port, all in the name of his administrator Kirk Osei. But today, Kirk Osei is still at the helm of affairs.”
Malik Basintale, National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communiations Officer
Malik Basintale did not shy away from other corruption scandals that have plagued the NPP government, including the Ameri deal, which he described as a “GHS 510 billion innovation scandal.”
He contended that even President Akufo-Addo himself was complicit in the scandal, accusing Dr Bawumia of his involvement in the said corruption transaction.
In his concluding remarks, Malik Basintale made it clear that the NDC will not tolerate corruption, vowing that his party will hold the ruling government accountable for its actions.
“Akufo-Addo and Bawumia’s corruption has stunk the country. We are saying that the only corrupt entity, the only corrupt leadership we’ve had in this country is Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, and their corruption history is there.”
Malik Basintale, National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communiations Officer
The National Democratic Congress Deputy National Communiations Officer affirmed the opposition party’s committment to demand accountability and ensure investigation of all suspected cases of corruption and corrupt-related cases under the current administartion when elected in the December 7 polls.
He called on Ghanaians, particularly the youth to vote for the NDC’s flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama and Profesosr Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang to reset the country and hold the NPP accountable for its perceived and alleged stealing from the country.
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