The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central Constituency and the Spokesperson on Economy for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 Manifesto, Honourable Isaac Adongo has issued a bold challenge to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for a debate on digitalization and economic policy.
Hon. Adongo, known for his sharp criticisms of the current administration’s economic management, touted the NDC’s achievements in digitalization and questioned Dr. Bawumia’s track record.
Speaking at a press conference, Hon. Adongo recounted the significant strides made by the NDC in Ghana’s digitalization journey, particularly under the leadership of former President John Dramani Mahama and other key figures.
He highlighted the liberalization of the airwaves during the tenure of Honorable Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as the Minister for Communications, a move that transformed the media landscape in Ghana.
“Honourable Ekow Spio Gabrah was appointed the Minister for Communication. We split the ministry into 2 so that we can focus. His Excellency John Dramani Mahama was his Deputy Minister. Then we decided to liberalize the airwaves. All of you would have been unemployed because you have all had to go to GBC and there’s no space for all of you.
“We used to have only GBC. So when you enter a house, you see a radio hanging somewhere on the wall. Sometimes we need to tell you the history for you to understand people for who they are. We liberalize the airways. His Excellency John Dramani Mahama took over from Hon. Ekow Spio Garbrah when he was moved to the Education Ministry as a minister of Education and JM became the Communications Minister”.
Isaac Adongo, MP Bolgatanga Central Constituency and Spokesperson NDC 2024 Manifesto on Economy
Hon. Isaac Adongo detailed how the liberalization of the airwaves under the NDC’s leadership created opportunities for private media houses to flourish, which was a significant departure from the monopoly of the state-owned Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
He underscored the importance of this policy in shaping Ghana’s vibrant media landscape today.
The National Democratic Congress MP also highlighted the NDC’s role in introducing mobile telephony in Ghana, a pivotal moment in the country’s digital evolution.
“John Mahama brought mobile telephony, and the advert at that time was done by one of our biggest stars in football, Tony Yeboah,” Hon. Adongo recounted.
He painted a vivid picture of the era when mobile phones were a novelty, contrasting it with the current digital age that the NDC helped to pioneer.
Turning his attention to Dr Bawumia, Hon. Isaac Adongo was sharply critical, accusing the Vice President of having no substantive role in building the foundational infrastructure necessary for digitalization.
“At the time we were doing this, Dr. Bawumia was busy chewing economics,” Hon. Adongo quipped, implying that Dr Bawumia was absent from the significant technological advancements led by the NDC.
Hon. Isaac Adongo further emphasized the NDC’s efforts in expanding Ghana’s telecom ecosystem, including the establishment of the largest data centre in the country, which was crucial for the government’s digital initiatives such as the Ghanagov.com project.
He argued that without these foundational infrastructures, the current digitalization efforts claimed by Dr. Bawumia would not have been possible.
Addressing Dr. Bawumia directly, Hon. Adongo challenged the Vice President to a public debate on digitalization and economic policy.
“He should come and tell us his track record in building infrastructure for digitalization. I want you people to tell him that the days when we didn’t know him, and we gave him the benefit of the doubt, are long gone”.
Isaac Adongo, MP Bolgatanga Central Constituency and Spokesperson NDC 2024 Manifesto on Economy
He declared his readiness to debate Dr. Bawumia anytime, anywhere, and under any conditions set by the Vice President.
“He can choose his own venue, he can choose his own moderator. In fact, he can come with his books for reference. But just wake me up from sleep and say he wants to debate me on his vision and his knowledge about the economy and digitalization and i will meet him without hesitation”.
Isaac Adongo, MP Bolgatanga Central Constituency and Spokesperson NDC 2024 Manifesto on Economy
Hon. Adongo emphasized his challenge, expressing his confidence in the NDC’s record and his ability to counter any claims made by Dr Bawumia.
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