On Friday, May 3, 2024, Dr. Randy Abbey, the host of Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV, and Nana Akomea, the Managing Director of the State Transport Company, engaged in a constructive and refined verbal exchange regarding the government's efforts in the Appiatse Reconstruction Project in comparison to its support for victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage.
The Friday edition of the show also featured Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, as a guest, with all three praising the government for its decisive and instrumental role in resettling the Appiatse residents affected by the explosion two years ago.
The trio seemed to agree on the slowness or inactivity of the government regarding the plight of the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage. However, they differed in their opinions on the reason behind the government's lack of proactiveness on the issue.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in his submission commended the government for its efforts in the reconstruction of Appiatse but criticized its seeming disinterest in assisting victims of the Akosombo dam spillage.
In an attempt to explain the government's supposed lackadaisical approach to the people of Mepe and other affected areas, Okudzeto Ablakwa referenced President Akufo-Addo's controversial statement during his visit to Mepe at the height of the humanitarian crisis as a possible reason for the government's inaction.
Following Ablakwa's presentation, Nana Akomea, while acknowledging that the government's response to the dam spillage victims was not ideal, vehemently rejected the notion that the government was uninterested in helping the victims due to their voting patterns.
“You (Ablakwa) are over-flogging the issue because as we speak there are major developments in NDC areas. You cannot say that there are no developments in NDC areas. You go to areas that vote for NDC and there is massive development. If you say that what the president means by 'if you don’t vote NPP, you won’t get nothing', that won’t be the truth,” Nana Akomea said.
The host of the show, Dr. Randy Abbey, however, interjected, questioning what was happening in the flooded areas, to which Nana Akomea responded that while there had been a delay, it was unfair to attribute it to the victims' political affiliations.
“So, what will explain what is going on in the flooded areas?” Dr. Randy Abbey quizzed.
Nana Akomea responded saying “We all agree there has been a delay but you cannot say that the delay is because the people don’t vote for NPP. Can you put your hand on your heart and say that the work has been delayed because it is an NDC area?”
The conversation then continued with Dr. Abbey pointing out the lack of government aid and support in the affected areas despite the President's promises.
“The president goes to visit the people in that condition and then says this. Prior to him going there, the people did not experience any serious effort by the government to come to their aid. Since he made that statement and left, they’ve not seen any serious commitment from the government to come to their aid.
“The president speaks about money in the budget in November and the people still don’t see anything, you do not think that it will be fair for them to refer to the president’s comments and say that they believe that is the reason nothing has happened?” Dr Abbey questioned.
Nana Akomea also responded, “Granted all that you are saying, does it mean that the government’s lack of proactiveness on the ground is because the people voted for NDC? Why did the president go there? Why would he go there?.”
Dr. Abbey came in again asking, “Why did he [Akufo-Addo] say what he said?.”
Nana Akomea maintained his position that “If you said his comments were inappropriate, I don’t have a problem but to say that nothing has been done because they are NDC, what will be your proof? Can you say that in the Volta Region, there have not been any government projects?”
Dr Abbey who quizzed him again said, “Beyond the president’s comments, the fact that a state-owned institution (VRA) in doing what he says he must do has wreaked such havoc on people. People whom we have not been told are living in illegitimate or illegal places and the fact that they couldn’t even find places to sleep.
“As we speak, the republic of Ghana has not gone to their aid and we’ve had to rely on benevolent private persons and organisations. We are celebrating how when a government decides to be responsible and alive to its responsibilities, it can alleviate the pain and suffering of its people and we are juxtaposing that against what has happened in another part of the country.”
Nana Akomea continued to question the basis of the position taken by Dr Abbey, stating “We have all lamented the slowness of government’s response. How do you come to the conclusion that it is zero because the people are NDC?”.
Minutes after, the debate escalated briefly with Nana Akomea raising his voice and Dr. Abbey urging him to stop making accusations.
He continued, “Listen, I have told you my view. If your view is that it’s an NDC thing, take it. That is your view, take it.”
Dr Abbey then came in saying, “Nana please, stop it. You know what you are doing, stop it.”
Nana Akomea who at this point had his hand pointed in the direction of Dr. Randy Abbey said “What are you doing?” repeatedly. You have to withdraw that statement. What do you mean by I know what I’m doing?
Dr. Abbey kept making his point stating “You know that the allegation you made against me is not what I said. It is Sammy Okudzeto Ablakwa, who in lamenting the inaction of government referred to the statement of the president.”
After tempers cooled, the conversation resumed on the show.
Watch the video below
Watch from 1hr:30mins
EK/MA
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