The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) , Kwabena Agyepong has described government officials’ comments on the party’s ‘wɔn gbo’ demonstration as “insensitive” and “uncaring”.
The mass protest attracted thousands of Ghanaians but some of officials in government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have sought to downplay the impact of demonstration and described it as unjustified and uncalled for.
The Minister of Power in an interview on Joy FM said sarcastically that those who participated in the protest were only involved in a “keep fit” exercise.
The National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress(NDC), Kofi Adams also criticised the demonstration, insisting the NPP is responsible for the current energy crisis.
[contextly_sidebar id=”MXJnV7JwXSeFlZX5NVingoEHAGlkAkHu”]However responding to the critics on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, Mr Agyepong said: “This government has simply been incompetent. Now they are showing they are insensitive and uncaring with the comments coming from their Ministers.”
According to the NPP scribe, government’s efforts at downplaying the relevance of the demonstration show gross disrespect to protesters and Ghanaians who have been affected by the energy crisis.
“When people are suffering, people are dying …the language that is used should be consoling, persuasive, and heart warming. Not propagandist language …that shows gross disrespect to the million people who poured out into the streets yesterday,” Agyepong fumed.
The NPP General Secretary expressed worry over how the worsening power crisis had adversely affected small and medium scale enterprises and industries, saying “the mining companies have lost close to 48 percent of their workforce and if you come to the small to medium scale industry it is even worse.The barbers, cold stores have been hit by this problem”
He was convinced the ruling government is only concerned about winning elections and not solving challenges facing Ghana.“All this government thinks about is how to win the next elections and not how to solve the problems of the country…This is a government that is confused in its own intra-government relations. This is not a serious government,”he stated.
NPP demo not to solicit for votes
Agyepong also clarified that the protest was not aimed at canvassing votes for NPP.
“..We want government to do their job, it is not about elections. When we get there we know the message to carry out to the people of Ghana. We expect them to work for the good of the country and we are concerned of the good of the country.”
He was however quick to add that the NPP when voted into power will ensure that Ghanaians enjoy consistent power supply.
“I trust the NPP led by Nana Akufo Addo will lead the country better because we have done it before. We are better managers of Ghana’s economy.”
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah