Following the recent decision by the United Kingdom to impose a whopping cash bond of £3,000 before any citizen of Ghana could visit that country, Otiko Afisa Djaba, national women’s organiser of the New Patriotic Party, has severely lashed Anita De Soso, national women’s organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress, saying the latter’s comments on the matter were “highly irresponsible and reckless.”
Otiko, in a telephone interview with this reporter, stated that the policy by the UK government, though unfortunate, was purely from a security point of view as well as a way of deterring some foreign nationals from overstaying their time in the UK, and not the flimsy rationalization by Anita De Soso that, it was due to the demonstration that took place some few days back by some aggrieved Ghanaians in the UK that informed the decision by that country.
“The people who paraded the streets of London only demonstrated to register their protest against the Mahama NDC-led administration for failing to deliver effectively to the good people of Ghana.
Again, the demonstrators were not supporters of the NPP neither were they doing so against the UK government, so how could Anita De Soso, on Okay FM, and out of ignorance, attribute the whole incident to the effect that NPP sponsored the demonstration in the UK. This comment by the NDC women’s organizer is outrageous, reckless, and irresponsible and was of no value,” Otiko maintained.
She added that Ghanaians who embarked on that demonstration were not yet to enter the UK, but were genuinely residents who have lived there for long and, therefore, deserve the right to demonstrate against the Government of Ghana, only if they think things are not properly done in Ghana.
According to Ms Otiko Djaba, whenever Ghana is faced with problems such as the fire outbreaks, poor sanitation, lack of infrastructure, unemployment and increasing poverty among others, nobody hears Anita contributing towards finding a lasting solution to the problems and this in her (Otiko’s) view, is hypocritical.
Meanwhile, Otiko, who gave explicit explanation on the matter, said there were other countries like Nigeria and India among others, who never embarked on demonstrations, yet they were not excluded from the condemnable policy or decision taken by the UK government.
“There are serious matters confronting the good people of Ghana and instead of Anita De Soso joining right-thinking Ghanaians to find appropriate solutions, which would enhance the wellbeing of Ghanaians and also mitigate the severe hardship people are faced with under this abysmal administration, the foul mouthed women’s organiser of the NDC rather descends so low spewing lies and discredited propaganda about unnecessary things. She must upgrade herself and learn the rudiments of civility,” she again stated.
Otiko advised that if Anita De Soso did not have anything to say to the people of Ghana, she must shut up and refrain from trivialities as well as making reckless statements, which could have the tendency to incite the public against the NPP.
“Ghanaians must rise by protesting vehemently against the policy yet to be implemented by the UK government, for it is discriminatory, condemnable and in effect, it also brings the reputation of Ghana into disrepute,” she added.
