Report on Mahama’s visit to Upper East Regional NDC Fundraising Dinner

Report on H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s Speech at the Upper East Regional NDC Fundraising Dinner on June 22, 2024, at Akayet Hotel, Bolgatanga
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22/06/2024

H.E. John Dramani Mahama, took time to address the gathering that included members of parliament, parliamentary candidates, former government appointees, regional and some constituency executives, businessmen and women, party sympathizers, and other important guests. He touched on several key issues and initiatives:

1. Gratitude:
The NationBuilder, expressed gratitude for the contributions towards the party’s cause, emphasizing the importance of resources for executing the upcoming election campaign. He particularly praised the Upper East Region for its significant fundraising efforts despite being relatively smaller than other regions.

2. Voter Registration and Monitoring:
He acknowledged the region’s performance in the Limited Voter Registration Exercise, mentioning his personal monitoring of daily live reports. He promised similar vigilance during the elections.

3. Polling Agents and Volunteers:
President Mahama called for constituencies and regions to present lists of volunteers for polling agents, specifying that each agent should have at least a first degree. He said Master trainers had already been effectively trained waiting to train polling agents for all polling stations across the country to ensure vigilance and diligence in polling activities.

4. Campaign Involvement:
Also, he encouraged continuous and widespread involvement in the campaign, emphasizing a “Rolling Campaign” where efforts are sustained around the clock. He outlined the NDC’s campaign schedule, noting that they are on track and will not be influenced by external pressures.

5. Clarification on National Campaign Teams:
He addressed rumors about the exclusion of Hon. Haruna Iddrisu and Hon. Muntaka Mubarak from national campaign teams, explaining that MPs typically are not included in National Campaign Teams, because they focus on their constituencies but may be part of regional teams.

6. Combatting Misinformation:
Mahama warned against disinformation and misinformation from the NPP, especially from the presidency and vice president’s office, and advised vigilance against such tactics, as well avoid further sharing of such content.

7. Policy Proposals:
He criticized Vice President Bawumia for reducing the campaign to a comedy show, emphasizing that the NDC proposes serious policy interventions. He explained the 24-Hour Economic Policy and encouraged effective communication about it. He pointed out the deliberate attempt by the NPP and its assigns to distort facts about the policy.

8. Support for Pharmaceutical Companies:
President Mahama promised financial support, cheaper power, and tax incentives for 24-hour pharmaceutical companies, similar to measures during his previous administration.

9. Creating Opportunities in the North:
He further emphasized creating opportunities in the North to prevent migration to the South, leveraging agricultural advantages in crops like rice, sorghum, corn, soybeans, and cotton. He proposed establishing Farmer Service Centers in each district, and Agro-processing Factories in regions.

10. Infrastructure and Development Projects:
He criticized the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government’s unfulfilled promises, such as the Pwalugu multipurpose dam and the $1m per constituency initiative. He promised to continue Rural Electrification, develop a “northern ring road”, that allows one to travel easily across the northern regions within 24 hours, and complete the Eastern and Western corridor roads.

11. Economic Hardships and Accountability:
He framed the December 7 elections as one between the people of Ghana and the NPP, citing the unprecedented levels of economic hardships and the need for accountability. He pledged to hold corrupt officials of the Akufo-Addo’s government accountable and retrieve looted state lands.

12. Regional Airport:
Finally, an assurance was given for the establishment of an airport in the Upper East Region to facilitate air travel.

The colourful program generally was very successful, with the region surpassing it’s fundraising target.

Signed
Jonathan A. Salifu
RCO

Source: Today.com.gh