Members of the Promise Trackers Association of Ghana (PROTAG) say the performance of the Akufo-Addo led government in its first 100 days lived much to be desired.
According to them, “We are very disappointed with happenings within the first three months of this government”.
The group said this in a statement issued today to mark the first 100 days of President Nana Addo Dankwa in office. He was sworn into office on 7th January 2017 after defeating President Mahama in the December 2016 election.
” At a time many Ghanaians are being burdened with abject hardship by astronomical increase in prices of basic commodities, transport fares (15%), lawlessness and pockets of violence across the length and breadth of the country, we are yet to see the compassion, competence and sensitivity of government. Ghanaians are in pain!!”, the stated added.
The unedited statement below
PROMISE TRACKERS ASSOCIATION OF GHANA (PROTAG)*
*IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
*17/04/17*
*NANA ADDO’S 100 DAYS IN LENSES OF PROTAG*
…………………………………..
We the members of the above Association have monitored with keen interest, the promises made by political parties during the 2016 elections and continue to track and study the policy implementation of the ruling NPP government relative to its promises made to Ghanaians during the electioneering period. As the NPP is hundred days in office today, we succinctly write to let our observations known to the general public, amidst the many that are doing among which at *CDD-Ghana*, *IMANI-AFRICA* and many individuals.
For time, clarity and space, we want to hammer on two main broad sectors; *education* and *security* whose relevance to Ghanaians as a people and as catalyst for our progress cannot be underestimated. Subsequently, our analysis shall cover the entire promises made by the NPP as the days go by.
*EDUCATION*.
Chapter 9(p.101) of the NPP 2016 manifesto contains its educational policies and interventions. Summarily, it talks about the implementation of the *Free SHS Policy*, restructuring basic education, *full restoration of teacher trainee allowances*, among others.
In the view of PROTAG, the NPP gave very tantalizing promises on this critical sector but hundred days into governance, there is no unambiguous sign of hope in that respect. The free SHS implementation has been mentioned severally by government on different platforms but a clear cut implementation strategy is yet to be made known to the good people of Ghana. Sustainable funding for the policy is a subject of controversy and key government functionaries have shown inconsistencies on same. Apart from the usual populist commentary and political rhetorics, there has not been any serious firm implementation strategy from government except for us to believe that government is suffering from indecision on the matter and could not do anything strategic within its first hundred days, relative to its own promise. In February this year, VEEP Dr Bawumia was reported by the Ghanaian Times that by March this year, trainees allowances would be paid. That have proven to be a lie because it has not happened.
As for the payment of teacher trainee allowances, government have captured certain figures in the 2017 budget which PROTAG is yet to know how many trainees were estimated. We are worried of this because the promise was to “fully” restore the allowances. A case for us to logically deduce that government has adopted the “quota system” into the Colleges of Education through the “backdoor.” That smacks dishonesty and unfairness on the part of government.
*SECURITY*
Security is a very sensitive sector in every nation especially when insurgency and terrorism are becoming common in West Africa, if not globally. The NPP promised of ensuring law and order in the Ghanaian society. In chapter 14(192) of its manifesto, we take interest in the introductory paragraph. “Ghanaians are becoming increasingly concerned about their security due to the increasing levels of crime and lawlessness under the Mahama led NDC government. Today, Ghanaians do not feel save. The Mahama led NDC government has failed the people of Ghana in terms of the security of the country and of its citizens. Our existing laws are largely not enforced, and when they are, they are done selectively, often with much interference from the Executives.”
Sadly, the above description by the NPP by then, better fits the NPP government now within hundred days into governance. Ghanaians have been living in terror and insecurity as the NPP *Invincible Forces* and *Delta Forces*, among others, keep on abusing many innocent citizens and institutions. The NPP vigilante groups appear to to have overpowered the national security as they publicly plunge the country into absolute lawlessness, violence and insecurity with impunity. Government remains helpless, clueless as it sits aloof whiles its rampaging private security forces display these levels of shameless and barbaric acts, making the country a laughing stock in the international community.
Generally, PROTAG observes that the hundred days of government only leaves regrets in the hearts of many Ghanaians. We admonish that government sit up and live to its tasks as the country is gradually losing its reputation in the community of nations.
We are very disappointed with happenings within the first three months of this government.
At a time many Ghanaians are being burdened with abject hardship by astronomical increase in prices of basic commodities, transport fares (15%), lawlessness and pockets of violence across the length and breadth of the country, we are yet to see the compassion, competence and sensitivity of government. Ghanaians are in pain!!
We pray for better days ahead. We also pray that God protect the citizens of beloved Ghana.
Thank you.
Cc: All media houses
*Signed*
Convener
SAEED A FARUK
Co-convener
Don Shakas
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Secretary
Denis Andaban
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