Mahama Describes 2018 Christmas Under NPP Most Driest for Ghanaians

Former President, John Dramani Mahama has described as “excruciating economic difficulties” the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration ending the year with Ghanaians with nothing but a 'dry' Christmas celebration.

Speaking to supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the Trade Fair Centre after submitting his nomination forms, the flagbearer aspirant said, “most Ghanaian families will go through the driest Christmas they have ever experienced in the history of Ghana.”

The former President was however quick to add that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will “continue to put pressure on this government to push back on their insensitive economic policies” which it has put in place despite assurances of “better times under the NPP administration.”

I'll abolish double track'

The former President also reiterated his intention to abolish the double track system being implemented by the NPP administration.

Mr. Mahama said the NPP administration hurriedly implemented the policy without engaging thoroughly enough with stakeholders.

“I will also work hard to abolish the double track system in the shortest possible time. We will do this by investing massively in the expansion of school infrastructure such as additional classroom blocks and dormitories and the completion of 200 Day schools popularly known as E-blocks that we started to enable our children attend school at the same time and have adequate contact hours with their teachers,” said the former President.

Three other candidates submit forms

Three other aspirants, Joshua Alabi, Sylvester Mensah and Alban Bagbin also filed their nomination forms at the party's headquarters today [Monday] with a fee of Ghc300,000 each.

Mr. Bagbin's form was received by a team of national executives led by the party's National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo and General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketsia.

After receiving the forms, Mr. Asiedu said: “On the surface, everything appears to be in order so I will proceed to sign to indicate that the party has officially received the forms.”

Mr. Bagbin assured that he will abide by the party's rules during his campaign.

“As a presidential aspirant, I assure you that with your support and prayers and our message of grassroots empowerment and commitment to the ending of the cycle of neglect that has plagued those who have served party and country, victory will be ours in 2020,” Mr. Bagbin said.

Mr. Alabi, after submitting his forms called on the party's leadership to find alternative ways of funding the party rather than charging aspirants exorbitant fees.

He also indicated that he will make Nana Addo a one term President if elected as the party's Flagbearer.

“I am afraid for our party. For those of us who supported the amount, there will be a time, if we do not take care, they will be charging branch Chairman GHC1,000. We have to work and find innovative methods of rebuilding our country. Innovative methods to find employment for our teeming unemployed youth.”

“We are getting to a place in our country where we need to give hope to our people, and I am here to tell you that as a Flagbearer of the NDC, I am going to give Nana Addo one term . If my name is announced as Flagbearer of the NDC, Nana Addo will start packing from the Flagstaff House,” said Mr. Alabi.

The deadline for the filing of nominations for the presidential aspirants was extended to December 18, 2018 after some pressure from the contestants, who petitioned and got the filing fee reduced to Ghc300,000 from an initial figure of Ghc400,000.

The vetting of the aspirants will be on the 21st and 22nd of December, 2018, with balloting to follow immediately after that.

Any appeals from the aspirants will be permitted between the 22nd and 24th of December, 2018.

---citinewsroom