The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Constituency First Vice Chairman for Atwima Nwabiagya South, John Kwame Duodu, also known as Sir John, has made a passionate appeal to Ghanaian voters to vote massively for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming elections.
He argues that the NPP has a proven track record of introducing better citizen-centered policies and programmes than the main opposition National Democratic Congress.
According to Sir John, who doubles as the NPP KG Advisory Group PRO, Deputy National Organizer for the Friends of Bawumia 2008 Foundation (FoB-’08), and patron of the Ashanti Regional TESCON, whenever Ghanaians allow NDC to lead, they end up dismantling vital programmes, thereby stalling the nation’s development.
He highlighted some transformative initiatives launched by the NPP over the years:
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) – The NPP introduced the NHIS, which he said has made healthcare more affordable for Ghanaians. Mr. Duodu accused the NDC of introducing obstacles to the scheme, resulting in inefficiencies that reduced its effectiveness until the NPP was voted back into power in 2016.
Free Maternity Care for Women – This NPP initiative aimed to help pregnant women by offering free maternity care.
School Feeding Programme – By ensuring that students receive at least one nutritious meal a day, this NPP programme has enhanced learning outcomes and encouraged school attendance, especially in underprivileged communities.
Free Secondary Education (Free SHS) – Free SHS is one of the NPP’s most notable achievements, significantly improving access to secondary education across the country. This bold policy by Akufo-Addo and Bawumia has relieved parents of the burden of school fees, providing thousands of students with access to new opportunities.
Free Internet in Secondary Schools – To improve learning in this digital age, the NPP implemented free internet in secondary schools, aiming to equip students with essential tech skills for the future.
Teacher and Nursing Trainee Allowances – Recognising the importance of educators and healthcare workers, the NPP established allowances for teacher and nursing trainees. These allowances assist students with their training and encourage young people to pursue these vital careers. However, according to Sir John, the NDC canceled these allowances, putting many trainees in a difficult position.
Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) – The LEAP program distributes cash grants to the poorest households, assisting vulnerable communities with basic needs.
Sir John emphasised that when the NDC took power, they canceled Free Maternity Care, Teacher Trainee Allowances, and Nursing Trainee Allowances—decisions that, he claims, harmed the very people these programmes were designed to benefit. He also asserted that the NDC “messed up” the National Health Insurance Scheme, reducing its quality and accessibility by introducing capitation in the Ashanti Region.
“In view of all these, Ghanaians must judge who the true nation wreckers are and decide whether they want a government dedicated to their well-being and development,” he stated.
He urged Ghanaians to vote for Dr. Bawumia and the NPP to ensure that these social intervention programmes and policies are protected and expanded for the benefit of everyone.
“A vote for Dr. Bawumia as President, as well as a vote for the NPP’s parliamentary candidate across Ghana,” he said.
“On the ballot sheets, vote for the number one candidate for President and Parliament. Vote for number one (1) to ensure continuity and to protect our long-standing policies and flagship programmes. Look no further than number one on the ballot. Vote for bold solutions. Your vote for the New Patriotic Party is to safeguard the future,” he said
