I am Disappointed in Nana Addo – Hon. Ibrahim Ahmed

Second Deputy Minority Chief Whip, Ibrahim Ahmed, has stated that he is woefully disappointed in President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo and his administration. He opined that, a legal luminary like Nana Akuffo-Addo, he expected him to have conformed with all legalities, especially constitutional obligations in his administration. “Strangely enough, he has thrown all these to the dogs and instead doing his own thing”, he bemoaned.

Hon. Ahmed made this known in an exclusive interview with ghananewsonline.com.gh in his office last week.

I DON’T HATE NANA

The outspoken whip, who also doubles as Member of Parliament for Banda, was quick to point out that he does not hate Nana Akufo-Addo, but as a member of the opposition group in parliament, their duty is to put the government on its toes. That is why he says it as it is.

RELEASE OF COMMON FUND

Hon. Ahmed indicated that according to the 1992 constitution, government is to release common fund to district assemblies and municipalities on quarterly basis. Strangely enough, under the legal luminary like Nana Akufo-Addo, common fund has not been released to assemblies for well over five quarters i.e one year three months now As a result, assemblies are virtually dead as nothing goes on there with poverty and hardship rising higher by the day amongst the people.

According to Hon. Ahmed all infrastructure in districts and the country at large such as schools, roads, hospitals etc. are crying for help; and yet no help is forthcoming because of lack of common fund. “Meanwhile it is only 5% of the national revenue that is to be used as common fund” he maintained in wonderment.

MONEY, PRESSURE ON FLAGSTAFF HOUSE

Hon. Ahmed stated that the President has turned the flagstaff house into a money rolling institution, where all monies meant for development are sent. As a result, even when foot soldiers need a pin, they have to go to the flagstaff house. No wonder there is so much pressure on the flagstaff house, he stressed.

RIDING ON THE BACK OF MANAMA

The minority whip claimed that Nana Akufo-Addo was only riding on the back of ex-president Mahama’s administration to fame in respect of most projects. Some of these he mentioned as the Pokuase interchange among others. This, he referred to as “lazy tendency”. According to him there is untold hardship in the country with poverty taking its untold trends on the citizenry.

FREE SHS?

Hon. Ahmed indicated that, indeed the free S.H.S has come to pass and many Ghanaian children have benefited from it. But at the end of it all, where are the universities for them to attend? he asked. He stated further that whereas the president was pampering students he was at loggerheads with teachers. Isn’t that ironic? He posed with laughter. According to him, allowances for nursing and teacher trainees could not be paid by government.

WE WON’T LOOK ON AS MOST GHANAIANS DO

The minority chief whip stated that the minority had been magnanimous enough to pass the 2021 budget for the Nana Akufo-Addo administration. Yet it had woefully failed to live up to expectation as found hit its palpable failure to even release common fund to assemblies,

“In this respect, wherein lies the need for -us to pass the 2022 budget when parliament resumes later this month?” he asked rhetorically. Hon. Ahmed added that Ghanaians where looking on and egging Nana Akufo-Addo on to do the unthinkable with applause and cheers. But this, the minority will not conform to. Instead they will do everything legal to put Nana Akufo-Addo’s government on its toes to do the right thing. “A special charged person is not good for the presidency!!” he charged.

 By S.O. Ankamah