Government has lost touch with plight of citizens - NDC

The largest opposition party in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress has accused Akufo-Addo's government of turning a blind eye to the obvious challenges that have bedevilled the country in the last two years.

The NDC observed that government has been blinded by power and the resources at their disposal instead of sitting up and finding solutions to the teething problems.

This the opposition party believes has resulted in mismanagement on several fronts and abuse of the public purse.

Addressing a gathering of media personnel at the headquarters of the NDC, Communications Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi, described as a delusion the assumption by government that it was on the right track to deliver on its mandate to the people of Ghana.

Sammy Gyamfi told the media, "It would appear to us that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government is still oblivious of what the times are in Ghana. The President and his Vice, who are busily enjoying the largess of power, have lost touch with the reality of dire economic straits that their mis-governance and maladministration has brought to this country."

"Today, the Ghanaian people are seeking answers, and the harder they seek, the more the President and his Vice continue to beat their own drum and dance to the tune...Obviously, the NPP government must be living in their own world. A world far removed from the Real World of the suffering people of Ghana. In their delusion, they claim to have delivered on many of their promises," he added.

The remarks were made during a press conference organised by the party as part of a strategic move to constantly engage the media on national issues to keep the Akufo-Addo government on its toes.

The media briefing series christened, "Moments of Truth" according to Sammy Gyamfi will focus largely on the failures of the Akufo-Addo government as the party hopes to capitalise on their ills to gain power in 2020.

Outlining some issues identified by the NDC as failures of the current government that defeats the President and Vice's claims of delivering on their mandate, the Communications Officer cited challenges with Free SHS, Financial sector reforms, job loses and imposition of new taxes.

He said these challenges arise from lack of proper planning prior to implementation, ineptitude and deceit by the Akufo-Addo/ Bawumia government.

Pointing the issues in his address, Sammy Gyamfi sarcastically highlighted, "Yes, they have delivered on their promise to move Ghana from taxation to production by increasing VAT by 5% under the guise of VAT conversion; and introducing new taxes like luxury Vehicle tax etc".

"They have delivered on their promise to stabilize the Exchange Rate so well that, the Ghana Cedi is currently struggling against all major foreign currencies. Today, the NPP’s so-called economic messiah Dr. Bawumia, has completely lost his mojo. Due to his manifest impotence and cluelessness, he has chickened out from economics and is now seeking refuge in technology (GhanaPost GPS and Drone technology)."

"Yes they have, through their stellar performance, delivered on their promise to create sustainable jobs by causing the collapse of several businesses leading to thousands of job losses."

"Most importantly, they have delivered their free SHS promise with a half-baked and haphazardly- implemented policy that has reintroduced shift system in our Senior High Schools much to the chagrin of parents and students. Indeed, they have enhanced access to secondary education by completing all the Mahama Community Day SHS and building their promised 350 additional ones such that today, our students sleep on bare floors and sit on stones to be tutored"

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, they have also delivered their promise to spare parts dealers and other importers by increasing import duties and charges astronomically, thereby suffocating their businesses. They have truly delivered massive weeping and wailing in Abossey Okai, Makola and among other importers" he continued.

The 'Moment of Truth' organised on Wednesday is the maiden edition and is expected to become a regular feature of the party's communication team.