Some opposition political parties led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Northern Region have declared their intention to embark on “Times are Tough” demonstration on Monday, August 22, in the Tamale Metropolis.
They said the demonstration was to send strong signals to the Government that it had failed in its administration resulting in the worsening social and economic conditions of the people in the area.
Mr Sule Salifu, the NPP Northern Regional Secretary, on behalf of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and All People’s Congress (APC), said the demonstration was to amplify the voices of the suffering masses.
He said the opposition political parties had earlier appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to reduce the electricity tariffs by 50 per cent within a month stressing that those appeals had not been heeded hence their decision to hit the streets.
Mr Salifu indicated that despite their patience, the regional political heads and the the Government had not taken any steps to address their demands noting that “we are concerned about the immeasurable hardships that the Government continue to let the people of Ghana suffer”.
He said though the President came to the region last month, he never spoke on the killer tariffs and its related consequences saying; “he has shown more evidence than necessary that he simply does not care about the fact that more and more people here are struggling just to put a single meal on the dining table for their family”.
Mr Salifu said they would be joined by workers, youth groups, unemployed and the general public in a non-violent manner to protest the general hardships in the country.
Mr Daniel Bugri Naabu, the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, appealed to Mr Paul Afoko, the suspended National Chairman of the NPP, to apologise and return to the party since the court had dismissed his case.
He said the party needed him especially towards the crucial general election in December saying; “he is our member so he should come back”.
Mr Nuhu Jingli, the CPP Northern Regional Secretary, expressed disappointment over the current administration of the country saying that the Government had totally failed the people of Ghana and must be shown the exit.
In a related development, Mr Seidu Abdulai Napodoo, the APC Regional Secretary, disclosed that the party was also preparing to stage a demonstration on October 2 against the ruling government.
He said people were generally suffering with rising cost of living and unemployment and urged all the masses to join hands to ensure a democratic change of government in Ghana.
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