President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says former President Mahama has proven, over time, to be inconsistent, as he flip-flops on issues of national development.
Speaking at Bibiani, at the end of his three-day tour of the Western North Region yesterday, President Akufo-Addo stated that it is important for the credibility of the country’s public discourse that persons in the country’s public space are seen to be consistent in their views and advocacy.
Drawing attention to the inconsistent nature of the NDC flagbearer, President Akufo-Addo stated: “When the Bill governing the establishment of the National Health Insurance Scheme was being passed in 2003, I was in Parliament. I witnessed the NDC MPs, which included Mahama, kicking against it by staging a walk out of the House.”
The President continued, “When President Kufuor successfully implemented it, Mahama and Mills said they would implement a one-time payment of the National Health Insurance, but for eight years, eight solid years, that promise never became a reality.
“Today, Mahama says he is bringing free primary healthcare, if voted for. Can we trust him? Did he fulfill his promises for which reason we should believe that he would fulfil this? No, we cannot trust him.”
Policies implemented
Touching on the cancellation of the payment allowances for trainee teachers and nurses, President Akufo-Addo noted that students and, indeed, all well-meaning Ghanaians, asked the former President to restore the allowances, all to no avail.
“We begged him to restore them, but he was adamant to the extent that he said if that would mean he losing the 2016 elections, so be it. I restored the teacher and nursing training allowances, and now he has changed his tongue again. He says he will now continue to pay teacher and nursing training allowances! Can we trust him? No way!” President Akufo-Addo retorted.
Again, on the Zongo Development Fund, which, in his view, is bringing development to the people in Zongo communities, the President recounted how former President Mahama said the use of the Zongo Development Fund for the provision of ICT facilities and astro turf pitches represented a misappropriation of funds, only for hims to turn around and promise the construction of mortuaries and legalizing ‘okada’ for residents in Zongo communities.
Again, on the Free Senior High School policy, the President recalled how former President John Mahama insisted that the pledge by the NPP to provide Free SHS was a mere political gimmick and just lies, as the implementation of the policy could only happen in 20 years.
“Two years ago, he said if you had GH¢2 billion you shouldn’t be spending it all on Free SHS. Today, he says that if he is given the mantle of leadership, he will continue with the implementation of Free SHS. Can we trust him on this? No!” President Akufo-Addo stated.
To John Mahama, he asked: “You have fought the Free Senior High School all this while, what has happened? What changed your mind about the Free SHS? The Ghanaian people deserve to know. Why have you changed your mind about the Free Senior High School policy?”
“He is inconsistent and a flip-flop, a trait not seen in Akufo-Addo,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
2020 elections
The President, thus, asked residents of Western North to continue to have trust and confidence in him, assuring: “I will always be truthful to you, and work for the unity, progress, prosperity and development of our nation.”
The NPP has only three seats out of the nine seats in the Western North Region, but the President is hopeful that the 2020 elections will see a change in the fortunes of the NPP in the region.
“I pray that massive changes occur this time around for all of you to be part of the elephant family. You will never regret being a part of the NPP. I urge you to vote ‘Four More for Nana’,” he said, and appealed to residents of Bibiani to vote massively for the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Alfred Obeng.
