Former President John Dramani Mahama, on the second day of his Western Region tour, visited the Evalue Ajomoro-Gwira, Ellembelle, and Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituencies.
His engagements addressed alleged falsehoods propagated by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), revisiting his administration’s accomplishments, and outlining his vision for the region’s economic future under the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In the Ellembelle Constituency, John Mahama responded to recent claims by President Nana Akufo-Addo that the NDC left unresolved energy challenges, particularly the power outrage crisis known as “Dumsor.”
“In 2016, Dumsor had been solved. Nobody’s lights went off in 2016. From January to December and into [the following] January. When we handed over to Nana Akufo-Addo, he should bear true testimony, dumsor had been solved. If you lie you will not go to heaven. At his age, he should be preparing his soul for heaven, so he should stop lying.’’
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
He criticized the President for misleading the public and questioned why a senior statesman would perpetuate such inaccuracies. He queried;
“I expect that when NPP is telling lies, they’ll leave it to the younger ones and the junior ones to do. But when the senior ones, like Nana Akufo-Addo, say that Dumsor was not solved before ‘we came’, I heard him say that we could not keep the lights on, how can we run the 24-hour economy.”
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Mahama also addressed accusations from the NPP that the NDC opposes the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
He reiterated that the NDC would not scrap the program but improve its efficiency and sustainability.
He pointed out inconsistencies in the NPP’s narrative, particularly statements by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo), a former Minister of Education.
“If you look on social media recently, their running mate, Napo, said they came, and he was Minister of Education at the time, that they came and paid a debt of 30 million Ghana cedis—Free SHS debt from our administration.
So, if you say we didn’t start Free SHS, how did you come and pay a 30-million-Ghana-cedi Free SHS debt? That’s why I say liars will not go to heaven. And liars will be destroyed. It’s in the Bible.”
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Mahama assured residents of Ellembelle of his commitment to expanding industrial projects in the region, particularly the Ghana Gas project. He emphasized;
“When we come, we’ll continue the second phase of Ghana Gas. And that is going to bring more jobs to this area so that our young people can get some to do. And those jobs are going to be 24-hour economy jobs.”
John Dramani Mahama Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Criticism of NPP’s Parliamentary Recall Strategy
Switching focus to parliamentary affairs, Mahama criticized the NPP for its push to recall parliament 12 days before an election, describing it as unnecessary and politically motivated.
He assured supporters that the NDC would not participate in such tactics, which he saw as distractions. He charged; “The NPP can proceed, but the NDC will not be part of it.”
Mahama argued that the NPP’s priorities were misplaced, with the government more focused on political maneuvering than addressing the pressing needs of Ghanaians.
Mahama’s second-day engagements in the Western Region reflected his determination to counter what he called the NPP’s propaganda while presenting his administration’s achievements and plans.
From addressing energy sector claims to committing to the continuation and enhancement of Free SHS, he sought to set the record straight.
As the 2024 elections draw nearer, Mahama’s rhetoric not only challenges the narrative of the NPP but also reinforces his message of honesty, improved governance, and sustainable development.
According to Mahama, when they come back, they will fix what needs fixing, correct the inefficiencies, and bring real development to the people. He noted that Ghana deserves better, and his government will deliver.
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