A senior research fellow at the Governance Unit of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr. Ransford Gyampo has charged the President to sack members of his government who attacked the celebrities for complaining about the power crisis.
[contextly_sidebar id=”mCg3xeVlABhxehg3N0vOKOfe8M4wlSYh”]“I will suggest that with immediate effect, such officials who made such unfortunate reactions and comments should be sacked immediately!” he said.
Ghanaians have been grappling with constant power cuts due to shortfalls in power generation.
Last week, some celebrities including Yvonne Nelson, Lydia Forson, Becca and Sarkodie took to social media to express their frustrations at the situation and questioned the commitment of the government to fix the problem.
However, they were verbally abused by some members of the Mahama-government and supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In their defense, most social media users expressed their displeasure at the intolerance of government officials to accept criticisms over their inability to resolve the many socio-economic challenges facing the country.
In an interview with Citi News, Dr. Gyampo indicated that “that bit that refers to some of these celebrities as prostitutes, I think if they can’t stand the heat of criticism, they should get out of the kitchen!”
He said the situation is indicative of the extent to which the nation is sinking “in terms of politics of accommodation and tolerance of divergent views.”
According to Dr. Gyampo, Ghana has achieved a lot in its democratic progression therefore “we cannot afford to relapse into the dark age of silence.”
He thus advised the President to act immediately if he indeed “upholds civility in our public discourse and will remain committed to his earlier posturing against the use of mudslinging and insults in our political discourse.”
Legitimate complains
Dr. Gyampo further described as legitimate, the complaints from the celebrities, adding that, the Mahama administration was elected to solve the problems in the country and thus it is proper for the citizens to continually remind the President of his mandate.
“People are legitimate in voicing out their displeasure and dissatisfaction about it and if they do so, it is important that they do it loud and clear for government to hear them.”
He argued that it is the duty and role of government to solve problems and so “if people come in and for some reason they are unable to solve problems, then the constituents, the ordinary people have every right to complain.”
Meanwhile, plans are underway for persons in the entertainment industry to demonstrate over the three-year energy crisis.
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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