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Only an ignorant person will compare NDC government’s ‘okada’ policy to Free SHS – Stephen Amoah
A Deputy Minister for Trades and Industry, Stephen Amoah has downplayed any comparison between the governance of President Nana Akufo-Addo and former President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Stephen Amoah, the prevailing conditions under the two administrations are completely different and thus cannot be compared.
The Nhyiaeso MP insists the former president is still bereft of ideas and therefore cannot be re-elected president of the country.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM show, Mr Amoah rejected comments that Nana Akufo-Addo is the worst President Ghana has ever had.
“It’s unfortunate I heard him say that President Akufo-Addo will go down in the history of Ghana as the worst president. It’s very interesting. I thought he should have done a proper comparison of the prevailing conditions which was under former President John Mahama and what is prevailing under the current president because in any case, you can’t compare okada policy to Free SHS if it is not propaganda.”
He added that no unbiased Ghanaian can compare Mahama’s okada policy to President Akufo-Addo’s Free Senior High Policy.
“Any honest God-fearing person in Ghana who wants to do a proper comparison between the NPP and NDC at all times in terms of aggregate performance, but for propaganda, columnist inferior tactics, ignorance, unconscious incompetence, and display of ego tricks, will not compare NDC to NPP.”
In August 2020, conversations on legalising okada were rife after the then NDC Flagbearer John Mahama promised that his government would legalise okada if voted into power.
According to him, the Okada business had become a means of sustenance for young people who were unemployed.
His comments generated mixed reactions from Ghanaians with one section throwing their support behind it while another called for the implementation of a law banning the okada operation.
Senior Vice-President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil added his voice to the section of the public that was advocating for the legalisation of the commercial use of motorbikes.
He said if the government is not ready to “legalise and properly regulate this important transport and economically viable sub-sector, then they are not prepared to run a country like Ghana”.
But, the Motor Transport and Traffic Department, MTTD, said it will be challenging to regulate the commercial use of motorbikes.
Speaking to JoyNews, Head of Research and Programmes at the MTTD, Alexander Obeng said that there are other factors to consider including the training of police personnel to enforce the law, deployment and others
Source:Myjoyonline.com
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
