President John Dramani Mahama has been accused by the main opposition party of using state resources to campaign in the run-up to the 2016 general elections.
According to the New Patriotic Party, the nationwide tour embarked upon by the president which has been dubbed, ‘Accounting to the People Tour’ is nothing short of a campaign tour. But government statement says the tour was purely official to show Ghanaians what his government has achieved and other projects being executed under his leadership.
The NPP is however not convinced, citing instances where the president has appealed to the electorate to vote for him in the presidential election, which the opposition defines as abuse of incumbency.
“These demands by President Mahama to be retained, given a second chance or voted for again, have been repeated throughout his tours nationwide,” the NPP said in a statement signed by its Communications Director Nana Akomea on Sunday.
“President Mahama is indulging big time in incumbency abuse,” the statement added, “In this campaign tour, there are over 400 billboards across the country, Branding of public buses, GBC TV and Radio live broadcasts etc all at the expense of the poor Ghanaian taxpayer.”
MORE LIES
The NPP further accused the president of telling “lies, untruths” and being inconsistent in a number of issues happening in the country.
The statement for instance condemned what it indicated as government’s double standard in explaining current electricity tariffs.
“The deputy Minister for Power and the ECG announced on Monday 4th July 2016 that tariffs per unit of electricity will be reduced from 67 pesewas to 34 pesewas, to be funded from government provision of a subsidy amounting to GHc300 million.
“Three days later, the President himself contradicted the July 4th announcement, stating that there was no subsidy and that any reduction in tariffs will be achieved through some “realignment” of tariff bands and pricing.
“While Ghanaians were in this state of confusion, the Finance Minister Seth Tekper also announced on Tuesday 12th July 2016 that subsidies will be provided,” the statement concluded.
By Isaac Essel | 3news.com | Ghana
