The Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign, Dennis Miracle Aboagye, has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto.
Miracle Aboagye began by stating that, the NDC manifesto lacks relevance and is out of touch with the realities of the Ghanaian populace. Miracle Aboagye’s critique addresses several aspects of the NDC’s proposals. He contrasted that with the current administration’s achievements. Miracle Aboagye questioned the credibility of the NDC’s manifesto, stating:
“ The [NDC] have been touting their manifesto… if you read the manifesto, you realize that they are completely out of touch with the realities of the Ghanaian people.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
Miracle Aboagye argued that, the NDC manifesto seems disconnected from actual needs, and instead reflects what he perceived as a desperate attempt to appeal for votes through appealing promises. He asserted;
“If you compare the things they put in their manifesto, against the principles they’ve been espousing over the years and what they stand for it’s in complete contradiction of what they’ve been telling the Ghanaian.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
Miracle Aboagye cited examples, such as their stance on levies, which he believes conflicts with their past rhetoric.
Miracle Aboagye highlighted the discrepancy between past promises and current proposals by the NDC. He criticized former President John Dramani Mahama for failing to deliver on his promises during his previous term, noting:
“Today, a spokesperson tells us that, no Ghanaian child should have school admission and not be able to go to school, but they were in Government. He was president for 4 good years, and left 100,000 average Ghanaian children at home.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
According to Miracle Aboagye, the NDC’s current manifesto fails to address past shortcomings, suggesting that the party’s previous failures undermine its credibility.
“The biggest challenge John Mahama His Excellency and the NDC have is the fact that they would have to account, for his presidency within the 4 years.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
Moreover, Miracle Aboagye downplayed the NDC’s, policies, particularly regarding education and health. He highlighted contradictions in their past and current positions, including their stance on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“This is somebody who was president before… Collapsed the national health insurance scheme. This is somebody and his group who promised us a one-time health premium.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
Miracle Aboagye argued that the NDC’s proposals are inconsistent such as their opposition to free senior high school (SHS) education, which they now support.
Evaluation of the NDC’s Strategy
Miracle Aboagye criticized the NDC’s approach to manifesto promises, arguing that they merely recycled old proposals without genuine commitment. He contrasted this with the Vice president and flagbearer of the NPP Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign, which focuses on consolidating and upgrading existing achievements. He explained:
“Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is very clear. His manifesto is simply consolidating what it is that we have achieved as a country and fixing what is outstanding.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
Miracle Aboagye advocated for a consolidation rather than a reset, arguing that significant improvements have already been made. He pointed out the NPP advancements in the energy sector. He asserted; “The Ghana today that under your tenure slept in darkness for 4 to 5 years, now has power. We don’t need to reset our energy sector. The energy sector is thriving.”
Future Prospects and Criticisms
Moreover, Miracle Aboagye expressed skepticism about the NDC’s ability to deliver on its new promises, citing a lack of trust based on its past performance. He argued that the party’s previous failures undermine their current proposals. He stated; “This is somebody who says that we will do this and that, but when he was in power, he did not.”
Miracle Aboagye emphasized that, the NDC’s current manifesto is an attempt to align with popular policies they previously opposed, questioning the sincerity of their commitments. He asserted; “The level of dishonesty, the level of insincerity… is what is going to determine the success of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.” Miracle Aboagye further criticized the inconsistency of the NDC’s position on the Free SHS policy.
“Today, I was against free senior high school. I always said that when it comes to free senior high school, some people should pay and others should not pay. All of a sudden, come to university, if you qualify for the university, I will pay for university education for free.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
This comment underscored his view that the NDC’s recent advocacy for free university education contradicts its previous stance against the Free SHS program.
Miracle Aboagye emphasized the importance of assessing political promises based on the credibility and past actions of the politicians making them.
He pointed out, “What is critical about manifestos… is about who is behind it and the credibility of the individual.” This statement reflects his belief that past performance is a crucial factor in evaluating the feasibility and reliability of future promises.
Miracle Aboagye provided a historical perspective on the NDC’s approach to key policies. He recounted that in 2003, during President Kufuor’s administration, the NDC opposed the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which was eventually implemented and upgraded by Kufuor’s government. He noted; “The NDC has this record… a national health insurance scheme doesn’t make sense. We are not there yet,” illustrating the NDC’s previous resistance to what later became a significant policy achievement.
According to Miracle Aboagye, this pattern of opposition followed by acceptance or adaptation highlights a recurring issue within the NDC’s approach to policy.
“Fast forward, challenges, difficulties, President Kuffour upgrades it at a point… then in the year 2008, we are going for an election, the NDC now realizes… we lost the 2004 elections abysmally because the people of this country hooked onto the national health insurance scheme.”
Dennis Miracle Aboagye the Director of Communication for Dr. Bawumia Campaign
This historical context is used to argue that the NDC tends to oppose initiatives initially and later adopt them when they become popular.
Miracle Aboagye contrasted the NPP’s approach with that of the NDC, asserting ; “The NPP believes in possibilities… we are going to get to the point where every single student in any tertiary university will be paid for free,” he stated, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing existing systems rather than overhauling them completely.
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