Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People’s Party , PPP, Dr. Paa Kwesi Ndruom, says the use of violence in Ghana’s political landscape, is not the preserve of the NPP and the NDC, cautioning that smaller parties may soon be compelled to equally form armed groups to protect their interest.
Speaking at a news conference in reaction to the recent violence that characterized the by-election in Talensi, the PPP Flagbearer and renowned entrepreneur condemned the two main political parties for forming and sponsoring armed groups to intimidate voters during elections.
He cautioned that if such happenings do not seize, the smaller parties will also form similar groups to protect their votes which he alleged were often stolen and added to that of the bigger parties.
“It is not because I am not capable of competing boot by boot. I have invested my sweat, emotions, everything in this country. If I do not work to keep Ghana together, who will? Many people have hidden their funds overseas, in safer shores. Mine is visible, right here in Ghana. I have a responsibility to my family, my customers and business partners to be a responsible Ghanaian. I am a public servant, not a career politician.”
“Some of us also know how to buy guns, bows and arrows. We know where poor, hungry and desperate people are who do not care what happens to them today,” he underscored. If some people can raise an Azorka Army and others Bolga Bull Dogs, what happens if those of us who have disciplined ourselves so far decide to raise the Sea Lions for counter attack? What happens when the silent sufferers decide that enough is enough? Is this what the Minister of Interior was promoting when he said, “violence begets violence?” he queried.
Dr.Nduom also bemoaned the excessive use of money by these parties to influence the votes of the vulnerable populace.
According to the 2012 presidential candidate of the PPP, excessive spending during an election year is characteristic of Ghanaian governments and will not change next year.
This is in spite of a promise by President Mahama to reverse the trend in 2016 basing his pledge on government’s bailout programme with the International Monetary Fund, IMF.
“Based on what I saw in Talensi, the Mahama Administration is on course to repeat the excessive spending in election year 2016 and bring back problems for all of us and whoever wins the election. “I am not here to play a numbers game; but budget deficits matter. Many countries suffer this problem so it is the ability of government to manage the situation so the people do not suffer that is important.
“Particularly key in this is the problem being solved – where the deficit came from. Ghana’s budget deficit in 2014 was reportedly more than 9.6% of the GDP. This is why the IMF has made a deal with government that includes removing subsidies on fuel, water, electricity etc. to reduce the deficit from 2015 going forward. But we seem to forget one thing. Budget deficits have been experienced consistently every four years i.e. after every election. I am not referring to planned deficits. My point is that election year spending by governments in the Fourth Republic has put our economy at risk and collapsed many businesses. I want to be wrong on this. But if you are a business person, I suggest to you to start right now and brace yourself for a rough 2017” he cautioned.
By:Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/3news.com/Ghana
