Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the presidential running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has strongly cautioned Ghanaians against voting for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming general elections. He emphasized the risks of returning the NDC, led by former President John Mahama, to power, claiming it could plunge the country back into the severe power outages, locally known as “dumsor,” experienced during Mahama’s previous administration.
During a NPP health walk in Takoradi, Dr. Prempeh took the opportunity to address supporters ahead of the party’s manifesto launch. He passionately urged voters to consider the progress made under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, which he believes has alleviated many of the challenges Ghanaians faced during the NDC’s tenure. The upcoming election, according to Dr. Prempeh, presents a clear choice between light and darkness, progress and regression.
“The election we are heading into in 2024 is crucial,” Dr. Prempeh said, addressing the crowd in Takoradi. “Four years ago, Ghana was plunged into darkness, but for the past eight years, God has brought light upon Ghana. The upcoming polls are a choice between darkness and light. If you make the wrong choice, you risk taking Ghana backward.”
Dr. Prempeh’s remarks highlight the deep political divide between the NPP and NDC, with each party presenting different visions for the country’s future. The specter of dumsor, a term that became synonymous with the power crises during Mahama’s presidency, remains a potent issue in the minds of many Ghanaians. For Dr. Prempeh and the NPP, it represents a critical argument against the NDC’s return to power.
The power outages that plagued Ghana during Mahama’s time in office were not just an inconvenience; they had far-reaching economic and social impacts. Businesses suffered significant losses, and daily life was severely disrupted. The memory of these hardships is something the NPP hopes will steer voters away from the NDC in the forthcoming elections.
As he addressed the crowd, Dr. Prempeh also criticized the NDC for what he described as deceptive promises related to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He accused the NDC of misleading voters in the past with false pledges to improve the NHIS, particularly during the 2016 general elections. According to Dr. Prempeh, these promises were never fulfilled, leaving Ghanaians disappointed.
“In 2016, the NDC said that when they come, they will reinstate one-time insurance. What President Mills did, they said they would improve. Am I lying?” Dr. Prempeh questioned the crowd. “But when they came and President Mills implemented the one-time insurance, people started dying because there’s no such thing as one-time insurance in the world.”
His comments demonstrate the NPP’s broader strategy of questioning the NDC’s credibility and their ability to deliver on campaign promises. By focusing on the NDC’s past performance and what he sees as broken promises, Dr. Prempeh aims to solidify the NPP’s position as the party of stability and progress.
