Minority Leader Slams NDC Government’s First 120 Days as “Negative Reset

The Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has delivered a scathing critique of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s first 120 days in office, describing it as a “negative reset” that has failed to deliver on its promises.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Afenyo-Markin said that the government’s performance has been marked by populism without policy, lamentations without leadership, and retaliatory politics. He accused the government of having no clear plan or strategy to solve the country’s problems, instead relying on slogans and empty promises to win votes.

Jobs and Youth Employment: Broken Promises

Afenyo-Markin highlighted the government’s failure to create jobs and prioritize youth employment, despite making it a key campaign promise. He noted that the government has instead worsened the unemployment situation, with thousands of Ghanaian youth and senior public servants being sacked from their jobs without justification.

The Minority Leader cited examples of targeted agencies, including the Ghana Health Service, NADMO, COCOBOD, and the Ghana Education Service, where professionals have been removed from their positions and replaced with party loyalists. He described this as a “clear case of reducing ministers to increase cronies.”

State-Sponsored Intimidation and Witch-Hunting

Afenyo-Markin also accused the government of engaging in state-sponsored intimidation and witch-hunting of political opponents. He cited several incidents, including the raid on the homes of former appointees, such as Ken Ofori-Atta, Lord Commey, and Dr. Ernest Addison, as examples of the government’s brazen abuse of power.

Energy Sector: Return of Dumsor

The Minority Leader lamented the return of power outages, known as “dumsor,” which has plagued the country since March. He attributed this to the government’s failure to sustain the legacy of a stable power situation left by the previous administration. Afenyo-Markin also criticized the government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs, which he said would further burden businesses and households.

Lean Government, Fatty Political Expenditure

Afenyo-Markin questioned the government’s claim of implementing a lean government, pointing out that the Office of Government Machinery has been allocated a staggering GHS 3.8 billion, with GHS 2.7 billion earmarked for staff remuneration. He accused the government of bloating the executive arm and rewarding party foot soldiers with public funds.

Economy: False Narrative and Artificial Gains

The Minority Leader disputed the government’s claim of economic progress, attributing the recent appreciation of the cedi to external factors rather than any novel policy by the government. He warned that the stability is short-lived and that the government has not shown a comprehensive economic plan or bold reforms to spur growth and jobs.

Galamsey: Losing the Fight

Afenyo-Markin accused the government of losing the fight against illegal mining, known as galamsey, which he described as a national emergency. He criticized the government’s selective enforcement of laws and political protection for certain illegal miners. He also questioned the effectiveness of the recently launched “Blue Water Guards” initiative.

Other Criticisms

The Minority Leader also criticized the government’s handling of the cocoa sector, taxation policies, education, and social policy. He accused the government of failing to deliver on its promises, including the “No-Academic-Fee” policy for tertiary students and free tertiary education for persons with disabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Afenyo-Markin said that the NDC government has proven to be the same as before, with a “negative reset” that has failed to deliver on its promises. He called on the government to stop its theatrics and focus on serious, competent governance. The Minority, he said, will continue to hold the government accountable every step of the way.