President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has cautioned Ghanaians against allowing former President John Dramani Mahama another opportunity to be at the Presidency, adding that they should not allow themselves to be deceived by his unrealistic promises.
Addressing business owners at Kokompe, in the Ablekuma North constituency yesterday, on the first day of his 2-day tour of the Greater Accra Region, the President stated that the record of the former President in office is nothing to write home about, hence his defeat in 2016.
Having presided over the worst economic statistics in recent history, the President wondered what John Mahama’s motivation was for seeking the office of President of the Republic of Ghana again.
“I know of someone going about on a promising spree, that if he comes, he would do this and that, but the fact of the matter is, he has been in power before, and what actually did he achieve? Nothing,” the President stated.
He added: “We have experienced his stewardship before, and it didn’t meet the expectations of Ghanaians. So, he (Mahama) should stop lying to Ghanaians, for us to continue with our developmental agenda for the country.”
Honesty
To the business owners, artisans, traders of Kokompe, the President recounted the promises he made to the Ghanaian people, and offered an update on the status of these pledges.
“I have come, this morning, to ask you if I have reneged on my promises to you, if I have disappointed you, if I came to lie to you. Since I have fulfilled most of my pledges to you, that means I was honest with you. For these reasons, you know I have lived up to expectations, so give me four more years to serve you better and continue my work,” he added.
Covid-19
Touching on the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme Business Development Support, the President acknowledged that not all who applied have been successful, but assured that “those who didn’t benefit from the financial support will be assisted when I am retained in office.”
The President also visited Kaneshie Market, Abeka Market, Santa Maria, Ofankor, Amasaman, Kotoku and Oduman, where he stressed that “the New Patriotic Party has got the blueprint for the development of Ghana”, adding “and it is going to be concretized in Akufo-Addo’s second time as President of the Republic. That is the programme ahead of us and for our country.”
Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange
Earlier, the President commissioned Phase One of the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange project, which has been completed five months ahead of schedule and is now open for use by motorists.
He noted that “the completion of the Phase 1 of the Obestebi Lamptey Interchange shows the seriousness that my Government attaches towards addressing the congestion within some of the major cities of our country.”
He announced that the Pokuase Interchange, which is the first four tier interchange in West Africa, is 85 per cent complete, and sections of the interchange will be opened to traffic this week.
Additionally, the President stated that the PTC Roundabout Interchange in Takoradi, which is the first interchange in the western part of the country, is progressing steadily while work on the Nungua Interchange, which is part of the La Beach Road Completion Project, is also progressing steadily.
Five interchanges
“This is the first time in the nation’s history that more than five interchanges are being constructed within the first term of any Government. So, if anyone wants more reasons to give Nana and the NPP four more to do more for you, this is one of them,” he added.
In addition to the construction of these interchanges, Government, through the Ministry of Roads and Highways, according to the President, is undertaking critical road projects to improve urban mobility in the country.
These include the completion of over 1,000 kilometres of asphalt overlay works throughout the country; the construction of the Teshie Link, popularly referred to as the LEKMA Road, which is 90 per cent complete; and the construction of Tema Steelworks road, the only concrete road to be constructed by Government after the Accra-Tema Motorway, which is 90 per cent complete.
Kumasi roads
Further, he told the gathering that the Kumasi Roads and Drainage Extension project, which include the dualization of the Lake Road and lining of the Sissai River Drain in Kumasi, stands at 64 per cent complete.
“The Ministry of Roads and Highways, through the Department of Urban Roads, is reviewing proposals to address the congestion challenges on the Kaneshie-Mallam Highway. This is necessary to reduce the discomfort that commuters go through around the Kaneshie Market area, First Light intersection, and the Sakaman–Mallam section of the road,” the President said.
