The Ashanti Regional Branch of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) is accusing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of desperately trying to make the President unpopular in the region.
The NDC is claiming that the NPP is taking advantage of the debate the President’s comments have generated to malign him and also cause public disaffection for the NDC ahead of the 2016 general elections.
President John Mahama has been criticized for claiming that people in Kumasi are unappreciative of government’s efforts to develop the area.
The President’s comment did not go down well with some Kumasi residents, political and social commentators and sections of the general public.
Government has however defended the President saying, his comments reflect the existence of the practice.
Government is also insisting the tape recording in which the President is said to have made those comments was doctored by detractors of the Mahama government.
Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, Raymond Tandoh said the NPP is behind the smear campaign.
He described the alleged move as “a desperate attempt to run down President Mahama’s achievements and his visit,” adding that the NPP is misleading the public.
In his opinion, the President only made the comment in his quest to buttress a point that there is a need for government and its supporters to concentrate on its good works.
“It is important to note that the President has a lot of respect for every tribe in Ghana, including the Ashantis,” he said.
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana