‘Kum Yen Preko’ Demo: Why former President Mahama and Rawlings 'opted' out

Thousands of activists and sympathisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) turned up in their numbers on Tuesday, 9th July, 2019, to partake in the 'Kum Yen Preko' protest organized by Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ), a group with strong leanings to the opposition party.

They cited unbearable economic hardship and oppression experienced under the current Akufo-Addo administration as reasons for the demonstration.

The group also raised concerns about insecurity as well as attack on media freedom among others.

Joining the pressure group for the protest march were the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the Greater Accra Market Women Association and Head Potters Association.

Others included the Concerned Drivers Union, True Drivers Union, Free Media Vanguard, Coalition of National Sovereignty Aggrieved Menzgold Customers as well as the unpaid customers of Gold Coast Fund Management.

But conspicuously missing from the hierarchy of the opposition party which had its National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah among others leading the mammoth protest, were the founder, Jerry John Rawlings and current flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.

Some have raised eyebrows at their absence, since Mr Mahama in particular, used to spearhead the NDC's Unity Walk campaign.



Member of Parliament [MP] for Ayensuano Constituency in the Eastern Region, Hon. Samuel Ayeh-Paye, seems to have the answer.

According to him, the two former leaders of Ghana who are prominent members of the NDC did not join the ‘KUM YEN PREKO’ demonstration - which he (Ayeh Paye) considers as a float - because "they realized they was no need for it".

“…Indeed Former President John Dramani Mahama and Jerry John Rawlings even though are top leaders of the NDC failed to join the float because they really appreciate President Akufo-Addo’s good works”.

He further added Former President Mahama “upon looking back to how he left the Ghanaian economy and how far it has come within two and a half years, believes there is nothing for him to demonstrate against”.

Speaking on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsoma’ programme, Hon Ayeh-Paye asserted that going by the manifesto of the NPP, the government in power has fulfilled almost eighty [80] to ninety [90] percent of its electoral promises made.

"And this has left the NDC with no message therefore the needless demonstrations and press conferences to create attention," he added.