Freelance investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni says providing him free water supply won't influence his vote as his convictions have nothing to do with President Nana Akufo-Addo's directive for water bills to be absorbed by government for the next three months.
According to him, even if the government supplies water for four years, he remains resolute on his principles for voting for a particular candidate.
"My water bill is a fraction of what I spend on data every month. So if you provide free water for me for the four years, it will not influence my vote. I have my priority areas when it comes to good governance and what will inform my voting decision'', he stated.
He sent a strong message to his critics who think he will "sell'' his vote because of the President's intervention stressing he has "a decent job and I have never had the problem of paying my water bills...But it will be wrong on my part to assume that everyone is like me. So let's allow those who will be swayed by the three-month free water to express their joy and their political loyalty. In the same way, let's allow those who think this cannot undo whatever bad governance (real or perceived) that they have been subjected to under this government to express themselves''.
Manasseh Azure, in a Facebook post, however commended President Akufo-Addo .
"The President's decision to provide free water for the next three months (with our tax) is a good idea. It's commendable because it will help a lot of people in these difficult times.''
Read full statement below:
THE FREE WATER POLITICS AND WHY OTHERS MUST NOT SHUT UP
The President's decision to provide free water for the next three months (with our tax) is a good idea. It's commendable because it will help a lot of people in these difficult times.
There's, however, one thing I want to point out to those who are politicising it and hurling insults at those who do not think it's a strong political weapon.
By the grace of God, I have a decent job and I have never had the problem of paying my water bills. My main problem has been that the pipeline to my house is dry most of the time.
My water bill is a fraction of what I spend on data every month. So if you provide free water for me for the four years, it will not influence my vote. I have my priority areas when it comes to good governance and what will inform my voting decision.
But it will be wrong on my part to assume that everyone is like me. So let's allow those who will be swayed by the three-month free water to express their joy and their political loyalty. In the same way, let's allow those who think this cannot undo whatever bad governance (real or perceived) that they have been subjected to under this government to express themselves.
To try to shut others up because they are not on the bandwagon of praise singing is wrong. It's undemocratic. And it infringes on their right to free speech and free expression.
Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Did the President ask Ghanaians to vote for him when he made the announcement? You tend to play politics into everything. Comparing data to a precious essential like water is unbelievable. Majority of Ghanaians want the country to get out of the current pandemic. We support the President to provide the needed leadership. You can stay with your one-eyed political mindset. At the end of the day, the good thing is that majority of Ghanaians will decide who should be President after 2020 and not just you Manasseh.
SO ALL YOU HEARD WAS FREE WATER FOR THREE MONTHS, RIGHT? KEEP YOUR DIRTY VOTE, WAI. WHO TOLD YOU NANA DID THIS FOR VOTES? WHAT IS THE MOTS PRESSING PROBLEM THAT WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE AS THE NATION? I WILL VOTE FOR NANA! ASHEWO MORE! SHAME ON YOU!!
And yet you give such a person the platform to showcase his ignorance. When we have a serious problem to contend with you’re here talking about votes. Such a myopic thinking. You cry for freedom of speech and yet when another person also fights for his rights against you you’re not happy. No water bill for 3 months wasn’t linked to votes or was it? Or have you been voting in millions that we didn’t know? Or have you really checked that your vote was part of the valid votes cast? Last I checked you vote once and that JHS 1 student who’s 18 years will also vote once. Sometimes, it is always great to keep silent than to talk to remove doubt. You’re about to lose it all so hold on to the little you have, do your own thing and keep quiet. Sometimes, it’s not the amount of words you can write but the sense in what you’ve written. Anyway, I’m still your fan though.
Manassah, we are thinking about how to navigate through this pandemic with prayers, hygiene, lockdown and all that yet you are focusing on elections to be held in November. I pray that you will live to see that event..... so partisan always, why???
Chai! It means the problem is more serious than every body appreciates! A certain chief somewhere in the village is already taking 50% off utility bills and distributing rice and cash to his people! Elsewhere people are getting cheques of $2000 plus food and a guarantee of their jobs! Here, only 3months water bills and all of a sudden people have lost their right to express their opinions as citizens! If you sing any other song apart from "praise and worship",walai even the gutter will reject you! The bitter truth is this: When this pandemic thing dies off I hope the same people condemning Manasseh will keep quite if government tries to recoup the "freebies" through increased tariffs, new or increased taxes, etc. NEVER TRUST a politician or a delegate!
Who you vote for is your prerogative. But must it be based on just this three month free water intervention? Coming out to make this statement is childish, to say the least. There are some of our people who are drinking from dirty ponds so stop being childish. Sometimes it is better to ***barred word*** if you do not have anything sensible to say. No one said government is giving free water for votes. So please keep your one vote well and do not base who you will vote for on free water for 3 months. That is what we all will do, obviously.
There's a time to talk and a time to be silent. This is not the time to open your mouth and talk any how just because you want to be heard. Let's all put hands on deck to combat this pandemic. Mind you, this battle is not Nana Akufo Addo's battle alone. We fight together or we perish together! There are some rich African countries who have worst Covid-19 cases than Ghana, but the interventions they are putting in place to combat it is no where near what the government of my great country GH is doing. Mr amateur journalist, it's always good to think before you speak. Data is not more important than WATER, as you want Ghanaians to believe!
Nana Addo does not need your vote to win Power.
The militias in the heart of the city story has dented his image so badly that he tends not to see any good in the government. SHAME
COVID-19 Lockdown: Free Water For Even 4 Years Won't Influence My Vote. Oh, keep your vote to yourself or vote for JDM, I will vote for Nana Addo.