NDC's adoption of NPP slogan betrays a lack of ideas - Agyarko

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it is not prepared to engage the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the ensuing battle for the ownership right of the slogan “People Matter, You Matter”.

The party is of the view that the NDC’s “decision to “borrow” our manifesto theme as their campaign slogan is an embarrassing testimony of a government that is lacking in ideas, ingenuity and imagination. It shows a government at its wits end even in matters as simple as the choice of a slogan.”

A statement released and signed by the party’s Campaign Chairman, Boakye Agyarko, and copied to RadioXYZonline.com on Tuesday said due to the NDC’s appropriation of the NPP’s manifesto theme, “it is now painfully clear that the good people of this country are not sure whether they have a government, much less a government that cares about the welfare of its citizens.”

Below is the Full statement

NPP not interested in slogan fight

The New Patriotic Party is glad to hear that the National Democratic Congress has finally come to the realisation that their “Better Ghana” and “Still a Better Ghana” slogans have to be abandoned because they have failed in delivering a Better Ghana for the Ghanaian people of Ghana. It is now painfully clear that the good people of this country are not sure whether they have a government, much less a government that cares about the welfare of its citizens.

The NPP is also aware that in settling on a new slogan, the NDC could look no further than to adopt the headline theme of the NPP’s yet to be launched manifesto, which is “People Matter, You Matter”.

The NPP is not interested in fighting over ownership of a slogan. They are free to appropriate “People matter, You Matter” as their campaign slogan in 2012. Their decision to “borrow” our manifesto theme as their campaign slogan is an embarrassing testimony of a government that is lacking in ideas, ingenuity and imagination. It shows a government at its wits end even in matters as simple as the choice of a slogan.

For a government that has lost complete touch with the concerns and aspirations of the Ghanaian to appropriate a slogan such as “People Matter You Matter” does not only make a mockery of the ruling party, but underlines the fact that to the NDC, it does not matter when what they say is totally different from what they do.

The good people of Ghana will be the best judges whether or not over the four-year term of the Mills-Mahama administration the people have mattered to the NDC.

It is very clear that what has mattered to the NDC government has not been matters that address the concerns and aspirations of the ordinary Ghanaian. This is a government that has lost touch with reality and the problems facing Ghanaians.

For our part, the focus is that our manifesto, our policies and programmes will, in substance, show that People Matter, that the Ghanaian Matters. It is not merely a slogan that should matter to a serious political party. It is the competence and ability to deliver that matters.

The NDC is free to claim for themselves whatever slogan they want because it is not mere slogans that will determine the verdict of the Ghanaian on December 7.

……Signed…… Boakye Agyarko 2012 NPP Campaign Chairman