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NPP fulfills 14% of 2016 manifesto promises
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has shot down claims by the ruling government that it has achieved 78 per cent of its manifesto promises since assuming office in 2016.
In what it terms a thorough analysis and scrutiny of all 631 promises made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the round up to the 2016 elections, the NDC scored the government 14 per cent in terms of delivery.
“We have discovered that the NPP made 631 promises and not 388 as the Vice President put out and after thorough analysis, combing through documents and what they have told us in Parliament, it will shock you to realise that only 86 out of these 631 promises has been delivered, so, the percentage achieved is 14 per cent and not 78 per cent as they claim,” Member of Parliament of North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa asserted.
In a sector by sector presentation themed, “NPP 2016 manifesto in perspective: claims, deception and reality,” the MP contended that “claims of achieving 78 per cent of their promises is a scam and per what they have done, we are generous to score them an F.”
Vice President, Dr Alhaji Bawumia at a town hall meeting in February this year had indicated that despite inheriting a challenging economy from the NDC, the NPP had tackled the challenges head on, delivering 78 per cent of its manifesto promises.
“In all, we made 388 promises in our manifesto. The most recent validation exercise at the end of January 2019 shows that we had delivered or are delivering on 303 (78 per cent) of the promises and we are on course to do even more,” he declared.
But giving further breakdown of the NDC’s assessment of the manifesto, Mr Okudzeto cited for instance that in the agricultural sector, of the 74 promises made, only 13 had been delivered with 61 (82 per cent), outstanding.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee among others singled out promises on the “one village, one dam” policy, export of horticultural crops, restoring and restocking the Korle Lagoon with fish as well as restoring cocoa production to over one million metric tonnes per annum, where government had failed abysmally.
On the economy, the opposition claimed that the high cost of doing business in the country coupled with botches in maintaining fiscal discipline, achieving double digit gross domestic product (GDP) growth annually, reducing government borrowing among others, has seen the NPP realising only 27 out of 45 promises made in the sector.
The NDC rated sectors like Chieftaincy and Culture, Local Government and Rural Development and Youth and Sports, zero with the others performing dreadfully contrary to promises made in the NPP manifesto.
Mr Ablakwa, described the promises delivered by the NPP as “face-saving theories” insisting that, “Ghanaians measure results and not efforts.”
He thus used the occasion to hint of the NDC 2020 manifesto which would be outdoored in coming days calling on the electorate to count on the party to deliver on its manifesto should they win power in the coming elections.
Meanwhile, the NDC launched a website, www.nppfailedpromises.com, to help Ghanaians fact-check the promises of the NPP government.
Source: Ghanaian Times
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced its return to the platforms of Media General following what it describes as successful reconciliation talks between the two sides.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Koduah, made the announcement during an interview on one of the company’s programmes, TV3.
His appearance marks the end of a standoff that kept the NPP away from the media house for about a year.
Mr. Frimpong Koduah explained that after the elections, the party decided to stay away from the station until further notice.
He said during that period, there were several discussions between the party and the management of Media General to resolve their differences.
According to him, the party’s Director of Communications was instructed to issue an official statement confirming that the NPP had “smoked the peace pipe” with Media General and would return to its platforms.
“As General Secretary and chief spokesperson of the party, I needed to appear on the show for the rank and file of our party to know that indeed the NPP is back to Media General,” he said.
He added that party members should not be alarmed when they see NPP communicators appearing on the station’s programmes.
He stressed that the decision to return is official and based on a gentleman’s agreement reached by both parties.
Mr. Frimpong Koduah noted that both the political party and the media house need each other to function effectively in a democracy.
He expressed hope that going forward, there would be mutual respect and a level playing field in their relationship.
He urged the media house to engage the right party officials when seeking the NPP’s position on national issues.
According to him, some individuals in the past claimed to speak for the party but did not represent its official position.
In a related development, management of Media General issued a statement welcoming the NPP’s decision to return.
The statement said the company has consistently upheld high standards of journalism ethics, fearless reporting and impartial coverage.
The company assured the public of its continued commitment to truth and fairness.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Government Communicator , Dr Sammy Ayeh, has defended the decision to recall Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mohammed Baba Jamal, amid public debate over alleged vote buying issues linked to the Ayawaso contest.
Dr Ayeh dismissed suggestions that the recall should be compared to the case of Hajia Amina Adam, who has been mentioned by some commentators as a government appointee.
He argued that the comparison does not hold because the two roles are not the same.
He questioned claims that Hajia Amina Adam serves on three boards, stating that only the Hajj Board has been publicly identified.
He indicated that there was no clear evidence to support assertions that she holds multiple board positions.
According to Dr Ayeh, Baba Jamal’s former position as High Commissioner carried a different level of responsibility.
He explained that a high commissioner represents the President and Ghana’s image abroad, which he described as distinct from board membership.
He maintained that the recall should therefore not be interpreted as unfair or inconsistent treatment.
In his view, the nature of Baba Jamal’s diplomatic role justified separate consideration.
By: Jacob Aggrey
