Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed displeasure at comments made by President Akufo-Addo during his ninth televised address to the country on the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
The President in the address admonished citizens not to begrudge the utterances and conduct of some political actors who in the face of the staggering numbers, blame the failed leadership of his administration. According to him, these people rely on such comments for their “political survival.”
“I know some political actors will want you to believe that our current numbers represent a failure on the part of the government. Do not begrudge them. They need to make such comments for their political survival.”
It is on the back of this, that the North Tongu lawmaker has implored the President to be more tolerant and set a better example.
He stressed that in challenging times like this, constructive criticism should be seen as positive and progressive just as it would in any other democratic society.
“From Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Keir Rodney Starmer, Bobi Wine to many other political opponents in any vibrant democracy; offering constructive critique and suggesting policy alternatives, particularly at a trying time like this, are considered a positive, worthy and progressive feature of democratic development.”
He further emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in combating the deadly virus saying the views of the opposition are also essential and added that the contributions by former President John Mahama, in the fight against the pandemic should not be trivialized.
” The war against COVID-19 requires our collective contributions and no credible and responsible political opposition is expected to keep mute or sit on the fence for that matter. The contributions of the Ghanaian political opposition led by former President John Mahama in terms of making expertise available to the nation and providing material support including PPEs, free distribution of face masks, food relief, and other kinds of support for the vulnerable should not be dismissed.”
Source: abcnewsgh
