Akufo-Addo government deserves commendation for DKM payments – Nana Akomea

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications team, Nana Akomea, says paying customers of the defunct financial institutions, especially DKM and others, is a clear indication that the Akufo-Addo government is sensitive to the plight of Ghanaians. The government also deserves commendation for taking this action, he says.

Blaming John Mahama’s government for the banking sector crisis, which led to the collapse of about eight banks, Nana Akomea said the governing party is committed to building a strong economy where every Ghanaian will benefit from his or her own toil.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Monday 21 September 2020, Nana Akomea said the timely release of funds to cushion the plight of customers amid the coronavirus pandemic clearly shows that President Akufo-Addo has citizens’ interests at heart.

Prudent approach

“Consistent with its 2016 campaign promise, the NPP-led government is on course to paying all customers of the defunct DKM and other microfinance institutions, in addition to those affected by the financial sector clean-up.

“Prior to the GHC3.56 billion recently made available to the receiver to pay the depositors of these defunct institutions, government had begun full payment of customers of DKM and other microfinance companies that collapsed in 2015.

“This remains a monumental feat of the NPP and evidences the sensitivity of this government to the plight of Ghanaians. Cognisant of the hardships and liquidity crunch occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, this could be described as a prudent approach to ease the already constrained economy, boost economic activity and expedite the return of the economy to normalcy,” Akomea said.

“It is worthy of note that government in the first quarter of 2020 expended an estimated GHC13.6 billion, representing 3.5% of GDP on the resolution of insolvent banks,” Akomea said. “The financial commitment made by government thus far is indicative of its resolve to create a highly robust and an internationally competitive financial sector capable of supporting the growth and development of firms, businesses and the various sectors of the economy.

“Friends of the media, the NPP-led government should therefore be highly commended for its efforts in ensuring that all depositors of the banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions and microfinance institutions are fully paid.”

NDC not trustworthy

The former MP for Okaikwei South and information minister argued that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), under John Dramani Mahama, cannot be trusted with its promises. According to him, most of the promises Mahama is making to Ghanaians regarding the banking sector have already been fulfilled by the Akufo-Addo government.

“The NDC over the years has proved to be gravely inconsistent, especially under the leadership of Mr Mahama. One would expect that, as an opposition, they would have drawn lessons from their incompetence in managing the economy and safeguarding the welfare of Ghanaians. Characteristic of the NDC, a myriad of empty promises has been made to hoodwink electorates.

“Is it not interesting that the NDC is promising to pay depositors of defunct financial institutions, when the ruling NPP has settled over 90% of the customers and is in the process of making good the rest? Is it not this same NDC that superintended the collapse of the financial sector and denied depositors of DKM and other microfinance institutions any compensation?

“So, I ask: what has changed? I suppose your guess is as good as mine. This is an obvious demonstration of gross incompetence.”

He reminded Ghanaians that the NDC has always doubted the promises of the NPP, which have later turned to be beneficial to Ghanaians, hence there is no need to return them to power come the December 2020 elections.

“We all are witnesses to the unambitious proclamation by the NDC that Free SHS was only possible in 20 years,” he said. “That assertion boldly exemplified their penchant for glorifying mediocrity. Today, they have made a sudden U-turn on what they hitherto considered impossible.

“Again, under the erstwhile NDC administration, the Road Traffic Regulation 2012 (LI 2180), which outlawed the ‘okada’ business, was passed. It is therefore unfathomable that the same party that criminalised ‘okada’ business is today trumpeting the legalisation of same as a headline campaign message.

“Dr Bawumia’s caution of a banking sector crisis prior to the 2016 general elections, only for it to occur, affirms the NPP’s ability to effectively identify challenges in the economy. Sadly, not only did the incompetent NDC fail to take action to avert the crisis, but also, they emotionally assaulted victims of the financial sector crisis. Asiedu Nketiah’s disparaging comment added salt to the injuries of the victims. Interestingly, the same party is today promising to ‘reimburse’ them when elected. God save Ghanaians from such deliberate deceit!

“The NDC’s recent promise to pay customers of DKM when they earlier described the victims as reckless investors is a manifestation of double standards. Evidently, Mr Mahama and his NDC, when in government, find it expedient to cancel what is good for Ghanaians – such as the teachers’ and nurses’ trainee allowances – only to promise their restoration when in opposition,” he said.

Question of leadership

Nana Akomea concluded: “Such U-turns are not accidental. Rather, they are clear manifestations of Mr Mahama’s indecisiveness, lack of credibility, penchant for vain promises intended to score cheap political points, and his general insensitivity to the plight of Ghanaians, particularly victims of the financial sector crisis which thrived under his watch.

“It had to take the promise-keeper, President Akufo-Addo, to clean the financial sector mess, inject the requisite financial resources that saved existing financial institutions from collapsing and prevent the loss of jobs. By the end of October 2020, all affected persons would have received their investments in full. This can only happen under an Akufo-Addo-led government, in spite of the ravaging effects of COVID-19.

“Let us ask Mr Mahama whether he still considers Ghanaians as having short memories, hence cannot remember his misdeeds? Although Mr Mahama doubts our ability to remember, his continuous display of double standards and vain promises clearly indicate the kind of leadership he offers as opposed to that of the promise-keeper, President Akufo-Addo.

“Ghanaians have seen the light of progress and inclusive development under President Akufo-Addo. We also witnessed the deprivation, stagnation and selectivity that characterised the Mahama-led government. We cannot afford to take Ghana back to the dark days under Mr Mahama. We rather must commit to keep progress on course by voting for the NPP come December 7, 2020.”

Wilberforce Asare / Asaase Radio

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