Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region took to the streets of Kumasi on Sunday morning to welcome John Dramani Mahama, who is touring the region as part of his 2024 election campaign.
The walk, dubbed “Enti Asanteman Aseda ni,” aimed to emphasize the NDC’s call for a change in government and challenge the voting pattern traditionally favoring the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region.
Addressing a large crowd of party supporters at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi, John Mahama highlighted what he described as the NPP’s failure to adequately reward the Ashanti Region for its unwavering support over the years. Referring to the Ashanti Region as the NPP’s “world bank,” Mahama criticized the ruling party for neglecting the region’s development despite consistently benefiting from its significant electoral backing. He cited the lack of completed infrastructure projects in the region as evidence of what he called the NPP’s disregard for Ashanti voters.
Mahama accused the NPP of embarking on rushed and incomplete projects in the region as part of an election-year strategy to win votes. He assured the people of Ashanti that any unfinished projects left by the NPP would be completed under an NDC administration. He cautioned the electorate not to be deceived for a third time, saying that the NPP’s last-minute development efforts were insincere and purely for political gain.
Mahama pointed to examples of unfulfilled promises, including road projects and interchanges that had either been abandoned or were being hastily executed ahead of the elections. He alleged that these efforts were part of a “419 scheme” designed to mislead voters. He also criticized President Akufo-Addo for inaugurating uncompleted projects, citing the commissioning of the Palace Mall road in Kumasi as an example of what he described as the government’s failure to deliver on its commitments over its eight-year tenure.
Mahama further questioned claims made by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration about the launch of a direct Kumasi-to-London flight by Ethiopian Airlines. He revealed that the alleged flight was a private arrangement and not a commercial route, accusing the government of spreading falsehoods to influence voters. He urged the people of the Ashanti Region to see through the NPP’s “419 tactics” and to choose a government that would genuinely prioritize their development needs.
The NDC flagbearer assured the people of Asanteman that the NDC does not rely on empty promises but delivers visible evidence of infrastructural progress. He called on voters in the Ashanti Region to make informed decisions in the upcoming elections, emphasizing that the NDC remains committed to real and sustainable development for the region and the country as a whole.