NDC Deputy National Communications Director, Malik Basintale
Deputy National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Malik Basintale, has criticized the government's new initiative to provide mobile phones to Ghanaians on a credit basis, calling it a "misplaced priority."
Speaking on TV3 Newday on July 22, he argued that there are more pressing issues the government should focus on, such as settling the arrears of NABCO trainers and school feeding caterers.
"Providing smartphones doesn't meet the demands of Ghanaians. After they get the smartphones on credit, will it solve the unemployment problem?"
"Go to the airport and see the number of people leaving the country. We must advise Dr. Bawumia to be serious. He should look at Mahama and the kind of policies he wants to bring. Dr. Bawumia has suddenly become a jocular person; if he doesn't lie, he will joke," he added.
He emphasized that campaigns are meant to formulate policies while listening to the people. "As I speak, the rains have started. The people in Dr. Bawumia's hometown are waiting for the spillage of the Bagre Dam, and Dr. Bawumia believes a smartphone is needed at this time," he noted.
Malik Basintale questioned whether Dr. Bawumia thinks a smartphone is a need when NABCO trainers and school feeding caterers have not been paid.
"Do you think the policy is a smartphone on credit, school feeding caterers, a bag of fertilizer has shot up, and you stand before people and all you think is a smartphone on credit? The biggest regret Ghana ever had is Dr. Bawumia as head of the economic management team of this government," he noted.
Presidential candidate and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has promised to make smartphones more accessible to Ghanaians if elected president. At a recent campaign, Dr. Bawumia outlined a plan to collaborate with phone manufacturers to provide smartphones to citizens on a credit basis.
"We will make mobile phones accessible. My government will partner with phone manufacturers so that Ghanaians can afford them on credit and pay 1 or 2 cedis every month."
He highlighted the importance of digital inclusion in his administration's agenda, noting that the move forms part of the government's digitization agenda.
JKB/OGB
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