Wahala 5 Hits Techiman

The fifth in the series of Wahala Demonstrations organised by the Committee for Joint Action, (CJA) has taken place in Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region with a call on the New Patriotic Party,(NPP), government to reduce petroleum prices, do away with arrogance, minimize human right abuses and tackle the general economic hardship facing the nation.

The CJA also urged the government to investigate all allegations of corruption against its officials.

The demonstration which lasted for nearly five hours without any violence has been described by many as the most well attended with over 4,500 people who were clad in red.

The Secretary of the NDC, Mr Bidzedeng, noted that the wahala demonstration is to bring the NPP government to order. He said that the general economic hardships facing Ghanaians is as a result of the bad administration of president Kuffour?s government.

He explained that Ghanaians can no longer look on while president Kuffour and his ministers mismanage the economy.

The Deputy Secretary and National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress,(NDC), Baba Jamal and Ofosu Ampofo, respectively noted that until prices of petroleum products are reduced, the wahala demonstrations will be sustained.

Baba Jamal told the crowd that if it becomes necessary for the CJA to form an alliance with any political party to remove the NPP from power, it would not hesitate to do so.

The National Organiser of the People?s National Convention, (PNC), Bernard Monar called on President Kuffour to make education affordable to all.

He wondered how the son of the president could raise $300 million to purchase a hotel and called for a proper investigation into the deal.

Mr Monar challenged the government to as a matter of urgency, investigate all allegations of corruption against his ministers as well as institute proper mechanisms to check state officials who dream of looting from state coffers.

The youth organiser emphasized that the president Kuffour will forever remain condemned unless fuel prices are significantly reduced.

He commended the police service for the maximum protection provided during the demonstration.

The national Vice chairman of the PNC, Alhaji Rahmadan, observed that human right violations must be addressed before Ghana can totally be described as a peaceful nation.

He described Mr Kuffour as a party leader and not a president because he is concerned only with members of his party.

Former parliamentarian, Ama Benyiwa Doe, who is noted for her sharp criticism of the NPP government, described the NPP as ?the most insensitive government in the history of Ghana?.

She pointed out that Ghanaians voted for the NPP because of numerous promises they made but after gaining power, they have neglected the people while they live in luxury.

Ms Benyiwa Doe was particular about the promise the NPP made to reduce fuel prices during the electioneering campaign in 2004.

An old lady in her seventies was worried that Ghanaians voted blindly for the NPP explaining that the youth will continue to suffer under the Kuffour administration. She cautioned the electorate to vote wisely in the next elections.

One of the organisers of the demonstration, Lawyer Agyemang of Techiman, pointed out that until the price of petrol is reduced to ?6000, the NPP government should brace itself up for more wahala demonstrations across the country.

He condemned a Techiman based radio station, Classic FM for trying to discourage people from attending the demonstration.

The Member of Parliament for Techiman South, Hon. Addai Simmons, remarked that ?judging from the number of people who have gathered for this demonstration, the signals are clear that the end of the NPP is here?

The domonstrators, who were mostly from the middle class, marched through all the principal streets of Techiman carrying a number of placards, some of which read: ? Ata Ayi is Better than Kuffour?, ? Kuffour Adi Ya Wu?, Kuffour Nie, Ata Ayi Nie?, ?School Fees Wahala?, ?Kuffour Nie, Hotel Nie?, ?TUC Boss, They Padlock Your Mouth?, ?Techiman Market is Collapsing?, ?Reduce Petrol Price Now?, ?We are Suffering?, ?So Far, So Poor?, ?NPP, Sack Kwabena Agyepong?, ?Chop Money wahala?, ?Kuffour Wear Condom?.