Kwesi Pratt, Nana Akomea On Akufo-Addo's 100 Days

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo's government has been in power for a little over a 100 days. There's been public assessment of government's performance since its inception.

The government's 100 days have been characterized by several attacks from one of its vigilante group, "Delta Force".

The "Delta Force" attacked the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinating Council and pulled the newly-appointed Security Coordinator from his office for reasons being that they had been shortchanged by government.

The group further stormed the KMA Circuit Court where they vandalized the court properties and set their members who were standing trial in the court free.

Though President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has condemned the attacks as well as Ghanaians, some people believe the ruling New Patriotic Party have not lived up to their promises to the nation.

However, speaking on the Tuesday edition of Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', the Communications Director of the ruling party, Nana Akomea believes the 100 days of the government is "so far, so good".

Assessing the government's achievements within 100 days, Nana Akomea noted that under the leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Youth Employment Agency is employing over 80,000 people in order to raise revenue for the country and also create more jobs for the youth.

He also reiterated the government's move to abolish taxes on spare parts and flights among others.

According to him, the 100 days of the government have indeed been very good because it has achieved a lot for Ghana to get back on her feet.

“We have restored the allowances of nurses and teachers. We have abolished the 17 and half VAT on bank transactions today. We have reduced taxes on flights by 17.5% for those of our brethren who use aeroplanes – from Accra to Takoradi and Kumasi, to Tamale or Sunyani – so today, when you go to board an aeroplane, you’ll see that the fare has reduced. We’re going to remove taxes on spare parts. We’ve begun negotiations with ECOWAS and once we’ve finished and there’s understanding, we will remove the taxes on spare parts for the price to come down. When you take a look at electricity bill, what you used to pay for national electrification was 5%. We have reduced it to 3% to ease the pressures on people. When you look at your electricity bill, what you used to pay for lighting was 5% but we’ve reduced it to 3%. This will ease people. When you look at petroleum tax, we’ve reduced the 17.5 that government imposed to 15%...” among others, Nana Akomea told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.

But the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt disagrees.

Also speaking on 'Kokrokoo' in relation to the 100-day assessment, Kwesi Pratt would not give the government a pat on the back because it has failed to deliver on some of its promises to Ghanaians.

Mr. Pratt wondered why transport fares have shot up under Nana Addo's administration when he promised to alleviate the sufferings of Ghanaians.

He couldn't also understand why the government would reduce taxes on flights meanwhile transport fares were recently increased.

Mr. Pratt further questioned the President for apparently failing to enforce his directives to his appointees not to buy new vehicles when according to him, some Ministers have purchased new vehicles after stepping into office.

He also disclosed that per the arrangements by the government, the Volta River Authority (VRA) was going to be sold into private hands though this revelation was countered by the NPP Communications Director, Nana Akomea.

Also touching on the President's 100 days, the Deputy Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fred Agbenyo pointed to some issues that have marred the 100 days of the government.

According to him, the government has not restored allowances to nurses, contrary to claims by the NPP.

Fred Agbenyo also recounted the attacks by the Delta Force and Invincible Force, both pro-NPP vigilante groups, and feared for the future of the country.

“Now, the country has reached a point where the Police can’t even safeguard themselves because their leaders are being beaten. The country has reached a point where national security leaders are being beaten. We pounce on court and assault the court. And if these State institutions or three institutions which have authority to protect us cannot protect themselves, then we, the NDC, are like carpet. They do what they like to us.”