Independence Day: NPP blasts Mahama over "unprecedented corruption"

graphic.com.gh Politics Mar - 06 - 2014 , 12:16

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused President John Mahama of presiding over "unprecedented corruption" in the country.

In a strongly-worded Independence Day statement signed by Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, the National Chairman of the party, the NPP condemned the Mahama administration for "harsh economic conditions" in Ghana, which it said was "unrivalled in the country’s 57 years history."

"Though governments have come and gone both civilian and military, never in the country’s history have we been more ridiculed around the world than today," the statement read.

"Ghana, the once respected nation in the sub-region, the financial hub of West Africa, the Gateway to Africa, is now labelled a Republic of Corruption.

"The unprecedented corruption perpetuated on the good people of Ghana by the Mahama administration has caused harsh economic conditions unrivalled in the country’s 57 years history."

The NPP stressed that after 57 years of independence, the hope Ghanaians held for a better life had "dulled" under the Mahama government.

This hope, the party said, has been replaced by "dismay at the cheap pursuit of self-interest that pervades our present political and economic landscape".

The largest opposition political party went on to add that Ghana had stopped working in the last six years, saying: "we have had enough of the lip service."

The NPP said: "It is time we all put our shoulder to the wheel with budding ideas and innovation to make sure that as a nation we succeed.

"Our agricultural produce must reach our markets; we must process our produce to not only feed our people but also for exports.

"Our resources must be put to good use and not be abused through corrupt practices like we have seen in recent times."

According to the party, there is the need for leadership of ideas and pragmatism "in bringing on board every Ghanaian to make us succeed".

Wishing the Ghanaian people "the very best" on Independence Day, the NPP said the nation was at a "crossroads yearning for leadership and bold measures towards a total and progressive transformation process out of our current challenges".

Read the full statement below:

Ghana at 57

The New Patriotic Party wishes the government and people of Ghana the very best on the occasion of 57 years of independence.

As a people we are proud and confident to have blazed the trail amongst countries south of the Sahara to have attained our right to self-rule, a right to think, a right to grow our lot, a right to development in freedom and with our destiny in our own hands.

However, as we celebrate our 57^th anniversary today, we do so with a heavy heart.

Though governments have come and gone both civilian and military, never in the country’s history have we been more ridiculed around the world than today.

Ghana, the once respected nation in the sub-region, the financial hub of West Africa, the Gateway to Africa, is now labeled a Republic of Corruption.

The unprecedented corruption perpetuated on the good people of Ghana by the Mahama administration has caused harsh economic conditions unrivaled in the country’s 57 years history.

57 years, the dream of a truly democratic Ghana has dulled more than a little. Hope has been replaced by dismay at the cheap pursuit of self-interest that pervades our present political and economic landscape.

For the past 6 years Ghana has stopped working. After 57 years of trying, the NPP believes that we have had enough of the lip service. It is time we all put our shoulder to the wheel with budding ideas and innovation to make sure that as a nation we succeed. Our agricultural produce must reach our markets; we must process our produce to not only feed our people but also for exports.

Our resources must be put to good use and not be abused through corrupt practices like we have seen in recent times.

We need leadership of ideas and pragmatism to lead the way in bringing on board every Ghanaian to make us succeed.

Our nation is at a crossroads yearning for leadership and bold measures towards a total and progressive transformation process out of our current challenges.

It is time to reflect on the past and plan fervently for the future of our people.

The future beckons to us. We must bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of Ghana; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.

May God bless us all.

Long live Ghana.

Ayekoo!!!

Signed

Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey

National Chairman