‘Economic Hardship Under NPP Gov’t Insane’ – Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern at the prevailing harsh economic conditions in the country.

Addressing delegates at Praso in the Twifo Attimorkwa constituency in the Central Region, Mr Mahama said the harsh economic conditions, coupled with high cost of living in the country under Akufo-Addo’s Administration, is unacceptable, adding that is unbelievable.

According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in opposition made endless promises to Ghanaians leading to its victory in the 2016 general elections, “but the only thing the NPP government doing is just putting Ghanaians under harsh economic conditions”.

Mr. Mahama said, in the run-up to the 2016 elections when the NDC was in power, the then opposition NPP made fuel prices a major campaign issue, even though petrol was sold at just GHC 14.

“The NPP further claimed that the price of petrol could be reduced by GHC8 which was a tax component and that it was possible to sell petrol at GHC6 at the time”, Mr Mahama said.

“Today how much is the price of petrol…?’, the former President asked, amidst rapturous response from the delegates” he stated.

He said it is possible for people to win elections through a campaign of lies and deceit but that cannot govern a country.

Mr. Mahama assured the delegates that hope is not lost as he is coming back in 2020 to work towards a reduction in the cost of living and harsh economic conditions.

He therefore urged the NDC executives to make unity and build party structures strong pillars for victory in 2020.

Mr Mahama is on a four-day tour of the Central Region to meet with delegates ahead of the NDC’s flagbearership contest.

Mahama’s Declaration

In a post on Facebook, months ago which seem his readiness to lead Ghana again, John Mahama stated that he has heeded to the several calls of sympathizers and well-wishers while assuring them of not letting them down as a “servant-leader.”

The former flagbearer of the opposition National Democartic Congress (NDC) came under scrutiny after the party lost woefully to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the 2016 December polls.

Most senior members of the main opposition party accused ex-President John Dramani Mahama of running a failed campaign by surrounding himself with ‘young’ and ‘inexperienced’ people, leading to the party’s crushing defeat.

However Mahama blamed the loss to some irregularities but rejected the idea of gathering evidence of over-voting and other abnormalities because his party campaign was focused on institutionalizing democracy.

In a bid to assure the NDC of not giving failure a chance if he is voted as flagbearer of the party again, he stated, “To you the teeming supporters and sympathizers calling and requesting me to declare my intentions for the future, I wish to assure you today, that as a servant-leader, I have listened to your calls and reflected. I will not disappoint you even as we await the publication of the party’s guidelines for selecting a new leader.”

Meanwhile, Ekow Spio-Garbrah, former Trade Minister; Professor Joshua Alabi, retired Vice-Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA); Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and former CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Sylvester Mensah have declared their intentions to contest the flag bearer slot of the party.