The confusion that rocked the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the President Akufo-Addo led government following the launch of NDC’s manifesto is so visible that many Ghanaian are wondering if the NPP has dumped their 2020 Manifesto.
Events leading to and after the launch of the opposition NDC’s People’s Manifesto pushed a member of the NDC National Communication team, Dzifa Gunu to jab the ruling NPP saying with the way things are going is like “Ogyam” must consider writing a supplementary manifesto.
Background:
About a month ago the NDC Flagbearer, former President John Mahama before the launch of the NDC 2020 manifesto announced that his next government will legalize and regulate the use of motorbike and tricycle for commercial purposes popularly known as Okada.
The announcement was greeted by wide jubilation from operators and owners of Okada who took to various platforms to applaud the NDC for the idea.
His announcement was affirmed in the People’s Manifesto launched on September 7, 2020.
This was followed by a response from top government official including the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Bawumia saying the NPP government will provide a better alternative to the ‘risky Mahama Okada business’.
The Majority of Leader in Parliament and NPP MP for Suame Constituency who also doubles as the Minister of Parliamentary Affair kicked against the idea saying John Mahama legalize the Okada even if he becomes President.
As if that was not enough, the Assin Central MP and bankroller of the NPP supported the position of the Vice President and the Majority Leader saying “Only a visionless leader like Mahama will legalize Okada”.
Despite the huge public acceptance by the NDC’s move to legalize the Okada arguing that mode of transportation has come to stay and a genuine avenue to employ many, the NPP communicators on many platforms followed their leaders to defend their position on why Okada must not be legalized even though its employs over 800,000 people.
Short after, there poured in support from some CSO leaders and prominent personalities including Kofi Bentil and Franklin Cudjoe of IMANI Africa; Prof. John Gatsi – an Economist and Dean of University of Cape Coast Business School; musician Kwame Aplus; US-based Ghanaian Investigative journalist Kevin Taylor and Dancehall artiste, Stonbowy who joined an Okada, took video and shared on social media explaining he chose to join the Okada that day due to the huge traffic in town and that sometimes, we must join Okada.
Then, there came a sharp u-turn from the NPP and government.
The NPP Director of Communications and MP for Adentan Constituency said the NPP, “we have always wanted to regulate Okada” which his comment sought to back the legalization of the business their party was kicking against.
Then the unbelievable announcement was made. The Transport Minister came out to state that “Stakeholder consultations on Okada legalization have begun”. This many including the Okada riders saying their government’s u-turn was nothing but vote-buying gimmicks adding that they will support the NDC and vote massively for the NDC in the December 7 election.
Free SHS vs NDC Promise
The NDC in it’s People’s Manifesto stated that they will end the troubling double-track system as a result of the government’s implementation of the Free Senior High school program. The NDC which has always supported the idea of the Free SHS, reasons for which the John Mahama led administration started the construction of a brand new 210 Senior High Day schools across the country said the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia led NPP government’s implementation plan of the programme was not the best hence promised to review the programme by extending the Free SHS to private schools to help end the double-track system.
Then again, Majority in Parliament, Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu descended on the NDC and John Mahama saying the proposal to extend Free SHS to the private schools in Ghana is unconstitutional.
Days after the Majority Leader’s comment were news reports that government is meeting with heads of private school to explore the possibility of extending the Free SHS to the private schools from next academic year to help them end the double-track system.
These formed the basis for Mr. Dzifa Gunu saying with the way things are going is like the NPP will be writing a supplementary manifesto.
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / awakenewsroom.com
