The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said that Ghanaians regret voting for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and President Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2016 election.
At a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday, the NDC condemned what it said was the chaos that had enveloped the country since Akufo-Addo was inaugurated.
Kofi Portuphy, the NDC national chairman who addressed the press conference, said Ghanaians have now realised that they changed a colour TV for a black and white one when they voted for NPP.
He cited what he called rising fuel prices and failed promises of the Akufo-Addo government as justification for his claim.
“The NDC can do it again, not in eight years but, God willing, in four years. Why am I optimistic that the NDC can bounce back in 2020? Don’t we hear Ghanaians expressing regret that they have exchanged their colour TVs for black-and-white? Don’t we hear expressions of anger from trotro and taxi drivers over incessant increases in fuel prices contrary to what Nana Akufo-Addo promised them during their campaign? Don’t we hear the anger and disappointment of parents who are now being told by President Akufo-Addo that the Free SHS is not free for all SHS students?
Don’t we hear the expression of anger from the ordinary Ghanaian who now has to pay 15 per cent higher in transport fares? Don’t we hear Ghanaians asking the NPP government: ‘where is the competence you promised the country?’ Don’t we hear Ghanaians expressing regret for not taking seriously the warning about Nana Akufo-Addo and his all-die-be-die mantra? Don’t we hear Ghanaians lamenting of abject lawlessness and wanton violence sponsored by surrogates of Nana Akufo-Addo and his NPP?" he said
Portuphy also condemned the of Akufo-Addo's administration, describing it as an "obolo" government.
He said the huge size of the government was informed by a need for the president provide jobs for his party folks.
The NDC chairman said the size of the government was inconsistent with Akufo-Addo pledge to protect the public purse.
"Protecting the public purse implies among others avoiding a large and unwieldy government that becomes a drain on the state resources.
“It means installing a lean government that uses minimal resources to obtain optimal output. That is what every competent chief executive does. Since taking office however, everything the NPP government has done points to the exact opposite. Ghana is now burdened with unprecedented 110 ministers and deputy ministers," he said.
He added that despite appointing several people to national security positions, the government had failed to contain groups like Delta Force and Invisible Forces.