NPP accuses government of touting old policies as achievements

Nana Akomeah The opposition New Patriotic Party has issued a dampener on the achievements touted by government in its nine months review. Nana Akomea, MP for Okaikoi South said the so-called achievements were nothing more than a rehash of old policies, far from the change promised. Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa at a press conference on Thursday said the NDC government is gradually winning the war on drugs and has done more in fighting the menace than the previous government did. He said government had also invested heavily in youth in agricultural programmes, as well as educational sector, citing increases in capitation grants and a scheme to facilitate distance learning for teachers. But in an interview with Joy News, Nana Akomea said those examples were regular ongoing projects undertaken by the respective ministries, adding, “these are things that you can find in any budget since 1997.” He said for a government that rode on the back of a clamour for change to win political power, the achievements being touted are not good enough. Nana Akomea conceded however that government had every right to blow its own horn, but advised it should not seek to create the impression that nothing was done by the previous government. On the war against drug trafficking in Ghana, Nana Akomea debunked claims that the NPP did very little to fight the menace, saying, all those involved in the MV Benjamin cocaine saga were put behind bars. He cautioned government against the increased politicization of the drug menace which he said was not healthy for the country’s development. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana