Former Ghanaian President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, did not mince words during his #BuildingGhana Tour as he criticized the incumbent government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Bawumia. The focus of his criticism was the government’s failure to fulfill its promise of paying allowances to trainees in nursing training colleges.

Addressing students at the Techiman Krobo Nursing Training on Sunday, November 19, 2023, Mahama sarcastically taunted Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, stating, “Nana Addo and Bawumia said they would pay their allowances. I beg you, Nana Addo and Bawumia if you hear me, we are here in Krobo Nursing Training School, they say two years now, you haven’t paid them, their allowances. Let the allowa come.”

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Mahama accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of deceiving Ghanaians with unfulfilled promises, emphasizing that such tactics would not work in the upcoming 2024 polls. He declared, “This time, the lies won’t work. This time, the propaganda won’t work; this time, the deception won’t work. This time the dishonesty won’t work.”

The former president also took the opportunity to criticize the Akufo-Addo government’s extravagant lifestyle amid the country’s economic challenges. He expressed concern about leaders living lavishly while the citizens faced hardships, saying, “The people elected you to serve them, not to lord it over them.

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And so, one of the things we don’t want to see in the next NDC government is arrogance. The people are suffering, and so you must be modest. We don’t want to see people driving Rolls-Royces when people cannot get food to eat.”

Mahama’s comments reflect growing discontent with the government’s performance, particularly in the context of unmet promises and economic struggles. As the political landscape intensifies in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, such critiques are likely to shape public opinion and influence voter decisions.

Watch Mahama’s remarks below:

You promised to pay Nurses Trainee allowance, pay them now- ⁦@JDMahama⁩ to Akufo-Addo and Bawumia over 2-year allowance arrears saga. #BuildingGhanaTour pic.twitter.com/ywhc4LSUH6

— Dzifa GUNU (@DzifaGUNU) November 20, 2023