Covid-19 Easing Restrictions: NDC Accuses Akufo-Addo Of ‘Parochial Political Interest’

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the easing of the restrictions on public gatherings is motivated by the President's parochial political interest and not in the interest of the nation.

“It is very clear, that the easing of restrictions was motivated by the President's parochial political interest and not the interest of the nation,” National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi said.

He made the remark at the maiden edition of the NDC's weekly press briefing in Accra today, Monday, June 1, 2020.

Sammy Gyamfi told the media that the President's decision to ease the restrictions “is mainly intended to pave way for the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission (EC) to carry out its rigging agenda through the needless and wasteful new voter registration agenda.”

He said “the fact that church and mosque gatherings are not supposed to have more than 100 people in attendance, and are supposed to last for just an hour but the National Identification Authority (NIA) and EC have been given the freedom to register an unlimited number of people from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, that's for a period of 10 hours, shows clearly that the so-called partial reopening of schools, churches and mosques was only a ruse to the President’s main agenda”.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announcing the lifting of the Coronavirus-induced restrictions on the country yesterday, Sunday [May 31, 2020].

He said churches and mosques could hold activities but with about 100 persons in attendance.

He among other things lifted restrictions on political activities but still banned political rallies.

The President also urged the Electoral Commission and the National Identification Authority to conduct their registration activities but adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols.

The NDC's National Communications Officer at the briefing said the NDC is appalled by the Jean Mensa-led EC's alleged to honour the invitations of the National House of Chiefs, which were intended to promote dialogue on the matter of the EC's decision to compile a new voters' register for 2020 general elections.

“Our traditional authorities are key stakeholders in Ghana's peace architecture and have contributed enormously to the peace, stability and democracy of this country. The refusal of the Jean Mensah-led EC to honor their invitations is highly disrespectful and an insult to the values and customs of this country, and must be condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians,” he added.

Mr Gyamfi warned that the “NDC shall employ every legitimate means to stop the EC's attempt to foist on Ghanaians a needless and wasteful voter register that is intended to disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, mostly in NDC strongholds.”

---citinewsroom