John Dramani Mahama, the Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has asked the president Akufo-Addo led government to emulate measures put in place by their counterparts in Togo to fight the deadly coronavirus.
Mr. Mahama has asked the president to reproduce specific social interventions from his Togolese counterpart including provision of free electricity for Ghanaians.
As part of its measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the government cushioned the burden of Ghanaian citizens with the free supply of water and electricity for citizens for three months.
Despite President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announcing some social intervention, in his 5th address to nation, which included his government’s plan to absorb water bills of Ghanaians for three months, Mr. Mahama has emphasized that those are not enough.
Per the NDC’s flagbearer’s assertion, as penned by Sammy Gyamfi, the party’s Communications Officer, in a statement, there are more interventions that could be enforced to ensure that the average Ghanaian does not suffer the harsh impacts caused by the spread of the deadly virus.
He said free electricity is as important as any of the interventions so far.
“…but aside the announced interventions, the Flag-bearer of the NDC, H.E John Dramani Mahama has made other far-sighted proposals, that government must adopt to enhance our mitigation efforts against the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. President Mahama has proposed that… 3. government provides Ghanaians with free electricity, as has been done by the Government of Togo…,” the statement signed by Sammy Gyamfi and reflecting the ideas of the flagbearer, Former President Mahama, read in part.
Mr. Mahama also wants President Akufo-Addo to scrap the Communication Service tax and some other taxes imposed on essential commodities during this period.
The NDC also alleged that the president and his team are being secretive about some details that could be useful to the average Ghanaian.
“So far, government’s response to the pandemic has been one of Public Relations and Information Management. There are a lot of things government is not telling us the statement however indicated that the proposals laid out are the ideas of the party’s flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama…”
