General Secretary of the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia has expressed disappointment in the Electoral Commission of Ghana saying if it does not change from its deviant ways, it will lose its credibility to the citizenry.
According to the General Secretary, he cannot fathom why the Electoral Commission was not questioned after its leadership defied the lockdown directive by the President and held a workshop for its members in Accra.
Speaking on Accra-based Radio Station, Mr. Asiedu Nketia said “The President lifted the ban on movement but that of the social gathering was still on. The Electoral Commission defied the directive and held a meeting in a hotel holding a workshop inviting its members across the country to come. What happened to the social gathering directive?”
He added although the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has its stands on the Electoral Commission, he is surprised the EC is being biased in its dealings.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia added that he finds interesting how the Electoral Commission managed to announce its meeting date few days before President Akufo-Addo lifted the partial lockdown on movement.
He challenged the Ghana Police to call to order persons who flouted the directives of the President during the period of lockdown.
VOTER’S REGISTER / ELECTIONS
Mr. Asiedu Nketia said “I will not discuss these Election matters until we are done with the covid-19 pandemic. I have a problem with those doing the politics of the elections. It is only when the President’s directive is not being respected. When will this virus go, we do not know so why focus on the election? We can’t focus on two things”
The General Secretary added that since there is a divisive admonishing on-going, it will be prudent for politicians to refrain for commenting on the voter’s register/elections brouhaha.
“The President said we are fighting an enemy, yet others are thinking about the voter’s register. This is contradictory. I will decline to talk about the Voter’s register. I don’t want to be led into the arena of controversy” he said.
He further explained that since President Akufo-Addo has not called the NDC into his COVID-19 team, they will not force themselves.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia mentioned that the division is not about the political parties adding the NDC Covid-19 team has generated some problems and submitted to the Presidency but have been declined audience.
“They have been tossing and turning us. When we go to the Health Minister, We are told to see the Information Minister and vice versa on who to deliver it to”
He noted the setting up of NDC COVID-19 team was towards the fulfilment of the President’s call of a united team against the pandemic.
“There is nothing wrong with Mahama broadcasting and talking about his findings on Covid-19. We are even urging people to wear the nose mask. He even used the little he has on him to buy so items to people who are in need. It is surprising how people feel the Former President has no right to do what he is doing” he emphasised.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia stated he was in no position to rate the President on his efforts on the fight against Covid-19 adding Government’s communication was below expectation.
“They told us that the virus is not dangerous but it was a contradiction. The media interviewed lots of people but their response was not clear enough to educate or inform the masses. NCCE did not play any role” he said.
GLOBAL APPLAUSE
Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia said “President Akufo-Addo does not have a world wide applause. We listen to what we want to hear. Let us not forget that these people are not living here. We are here and should be very worried”
NDC MANIFESTO / RUNNING MATE
“Ghanaians are not ready to hear when NDC will disclose its manifesto or who our Running Mate is. They are rather looking at when the Covid-19 will be curbed” the General Secretary revealed.
He challenged the President to pinpoint the short-falls of the opposition NDC in the health sector.
88 DISTRICT HOSPITALS
He said “You can fool the people on the first time but not the second time”.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia hinted Government can not build the hospitals questioning what stopped them from putting up the structures in the early year’s of their leadership.
He advised Ghanaians to be vigilant and mindful adding the Akufo-Addo administration has nothing to offer and must be shown the exit after its first term.
Story by Joshua Kwabena Smith