Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has raised concern about what he describes as the normalization of corruption under the current government.
He noted that corrupt has become so frequent that they no longer capture the attention of the media.
Citing the deteriorating condition of pitches at the country’s stadia, which had reportedly undergone expensive renovations but were banned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) due to their poor state, Mr. Mahama highlighted the troubling trend of unaccounted public spending.
In an engagement with the Ahafo Regional House of Chief in Ahafo Region on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Mr. Mahama pointed out that the ban on Ghana’s stadia is unprecedented, and it now forces the country to play international matches abroad.
He questioned how significant amounts of money were paid to contractors for renovations, yet Ghana still faces such consequences, adding that corruption scandals have become all too common under the current administration.
He also criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) for creating new regions without providing the necessary infrastructure. He lamented the slow pace of development in the six newly created regions, stating that they have lagged behind in essential projects.
If elected in the upcoming December 7 general elections, Mr. Mahama pledged that his administration would prioritize infrastructural development across all new regions. He promised to establish regional hospitals in each of the six new regions, including Ahafo and Bono East, to reduce the strain on existing health facilities and ensure that residents receive proper medical care without needing to travel to Kumasi for treatment.
He emphasized that since the new regions were established, there has been minimal progress in infrastructure. Citing Goaso as an example, Mahama said the area remains unchanged. He reiterated the NDC’s commitment to fulfilling its 2020 campaign pledge to develop infrastructure that matches the status of the newly created regions.