'Clearing agent' Akufo-Addo has nothing to show for borrowing – Apaak jabs Gabby

Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa South constituency, Dr Clement Apaak, has criticised Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for comments against the past National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and former President John Dramani Mahama.

In response to remarks by Mr Otchere-Darko, Dr Apaak stated that the President Nana Akufo-Addo-led government has borrowed excessively yet it has not resulted in corresponding development in the country.

He listed the promises made by the NPP government which have not been fulfilled and described President Akufo-Addo as “a clearing agent” over the exoneration of numerous persons cited for corruption-related issues.

He posted on Facebook on Saturday, 14 July 2018:

“Gabby says what? Your Uncle NADAA and his side kick said they will not borrow, yet have borrowed so much with nothing to show for it! He said he will fight corruption but has become a clearing agent and a facilitator, view #12! Has any dam been constructed, has any factory been established, has any constituency received one million dollars?

Your Uncle and his side kick said they will move Ghana from taxation to productivity, yeah, GUTA agreed, AGI agreed, Importers and Exporters agreed, Bankers and Telcos agreed, the Asante Business Association agreed. You got power and you are doing the direct opposite, they are complaining. What do you do, you decide to impose more taxes in the coming days and you say JM should what?

Why have you not responded to all these groups? What impunity! Tell me anything fundamentally new your Uncle and your NPP has to show! All you know is to rebrand, relaunch and recommission. Your Uncle appointments, in consultation with your good self, as many believe, 110 ministers, 988 Presidential Staffers, Several CEOs and their bus loads of deputies, and staggering numbers of personal aides and assistants, and you say what? Why should Ghanaians tighten their belts by enduring tax increases when you and your posse are feeding fat at the expense of the taxpayer? So much for prudent management and fighting corruption! So much for protecting the public purse! As former President Kuffour said at your recent event in Koforidua, power can corrupt, power is tricky! Keep dreaming!



This was in response to an earlier post by Mr Otchere-Darko, admonishing former President John Dramani Mahama to be quiet over his recent criticism of the NPP government.

According to Otchere-Darko, Mr Mahama’s NDC government was reckless and the economy was underdeveloped during Mr Mahama’s tenure. He was of the view that President Nana Akufo-Addo has turned the fortunes of the country hence Mr Mahama should not pass negative comments about the current government.

In a Facebook post on his wall on Saturday 14 July 2018, Mr Otchere-Darko, said:

“Certainly, the reckless way the NDC ran down the economy in 8yrs (lest we forget), called for creative and intelligent measures to satisfy three things: manage the debt crisis; keep the state machinery running and; deliver on your own promises. The Akufo-Addo government found a way in 2017, and will continue to find ways that will keep faith with the people of Ghana. Be in no doubt. And, please, can somebody out there tell John Mahama to shush! It is not his fault, though. The NPP has been kind to him on the havoc he caused to the economy”.

Former president Mahama had said President Akufo-Addo will defeat his much-touted mantra of “from taxation to production” if Value Added Tax (VAT) goes up.

Mr Mahama believes businesses are already suffering and any attempt to increase VAT will cripple them.

The former Ghanaian leader’s concern comes on the back of media reports suggesting that VAT may go up to 21.5 per cent from the current 17.5 per cent.

In a tweet, Mr Mahama said: “The Ghanaian business sector has never experienced such difficult times in the history of the 4th Republic. Akufo-Addo's proposed new taxes would cripple businesses further and also defeat his much-touted mantra of "from taxation to production".

The Ghanaian business sector has never experienced such difficult times in the history of the 4th Republic. Akufo-Addo's proposed new taxes would cripple businesses further and also defeat his much-touted mantra of "from taxation to production".

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) July 13, 2018

The Daily Statesman reported on Friday, 13 July 2018 that Nana Akufo-Addo is against the hike as suggested to him by the economic management team led by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta.

Subsequent meeting have been arranged between the economic management team and the president over the matter, the news outlet said.