As the 2024 general elections draw closer and political activities heat up, it is so normal for our political landscape to be awashed with campaign messages of all kinds from all political parties.
However, it is not far-fetched for the Ghanaian voter to expect realistic and convincing policy alternatives from the opposition party under the leadership of former president John Mahama who doubles as the Flagbearer for the NDC, considering his political experience this far.
But contrary to the expectations of the Ghanaian voter, it is so intriguing that former president Mahama is still demonstrating that he and the NDC have no campaign message going into elections 2024.
I have taken keen interest in Mahama’s 24 hour economy policy propositions vis-a-vis all the discussions it has generated in our air space over the period and it has confirmed my worst fear that the NDC has no message for Ghanaians ahead of 2024 and they are just using populist means to woo the Ghanaian voter.
In 2016, the people of Ghana ousted from Office the ineffective John Mahama, whose presidency had plunged the country into severe poverty, misery, and rampant corruption. Mahama infamously claimed that he was not a magician to create jobs overnight. It was during his tenure that Ghanaians coined the term “dumsor,” as a result of the incessant power outages that plagued the nation all through the NDC’s eight year tenure.
Under Mahama’s leadership, every sector of the economy was in disarray. His failures resulted in the cancellation of training allowances for training colleges and a significant freeze in public sector employment and promotions while the private sector kept shrinking.
These were just a few of the reasons why Ghanaians showed Mahama the exit and welcomed the competent Nana Addo and Bawumia government which from the very outset aimed at restoring the Ghanaian economy.
It is however worthy of mentioning that despite the global crises, the NPP government has successfully resolved the power crisis, significantly reduced unemployment, and reinstated training allowances for teachers and nurses and have successfully offered free education to all senior high school students nationwide.
Moreover, various sectors, of the economy including the industrial sector, have experienced substantial growth and revitalisation to provide more opportunities and jobs for Ghanaians. A prime example of this progress is the success of Eku juice, produced by the Ekumfi juice factory under the capable leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr. Bawumia led NPP administration.
Interestingly, John Mahama still believes that Ghanaians have short memories and can be deceived. As expected, he has begun his campaign with empty promises and catchy slogans. One of his claims and the most famous of his campaign messages is the policy proposition to transition the Ghanaian economy into a 24-hour economy.
However, this promise is already running in some sectors of the nation and so it is not and cannot be the game changer for the NDC.
Several sectors of the economy including the health services and transport services, already operate on a 24-hour basis.
Additionally, Ghana’s security services have long operated a 24-hour system in the country.
So, one must question which 24-hour economy Mahama is referring to. The truth is that he has nothing substantial to offer but empty rhetorics.
During his term, Mahama promised heaven but delivered hell. Ghanaians have become more discerning and can see through his empty promises. The 24-hour economy policy is a clear indication he has nothing new to offer, as he merely rehashes existing policies in an attempt to gain undeserved attention and credit from the unsuspecting masses.
Now is the time for us to come together and enlighten the Ghanaian people about Mahama’s desperation and his inclination to resort to his usual fabrications and empty promises in order to deceive the masses.
Ghanaians have already experienced effective leadership under the Nana-Bawumia regime in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID 19 global pandemic, Russia-Ukraine and the global financial crisis..
Ghanaians will not be swayed by any catchy slogans from John Mahama and his deceptive NDC cohorts. It is important to recognize that the 24-hour campaign remains stagnant and lacks any real substance.
End!
John Kwame Duodu (Sir John)
NPP Constituency First Vice Chairman
Atwima Nwabiagya South, Ashanti Region.
The Ashanti Regional TESCON Patron
Ashanti Region.
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