Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that President Akufo-Addo didn’t consult him on how to tackle the current milestone in Parliament.
Earlier this week, the president has labelled the NDC as being incompetent even in opposition. In his statement, he declared that the party within its 5 years of opposition has not introduced any key policy. Rebutting his claim, the former flagbearer of NDC asked him to go back and read the manifesto of the party.
Meanwhile, he has stated emphatically that the president has never called him for discussion about the ongoing tantrums in the Parliament.
The 8th Parliament of Ghana is in turmoils over an E-levy bill. The majority caucus wants this so bad for the development of the county. However, the minority, defending a larger section of the citizens deem it doesn’t worth it. Eventually, the debate over its passage two days ago resulted in an exchange of bouts.
Mahama believes teamwork could have prevented the impasse. According to him, President Akufo-Addo didn’t seek his intervention.
However, while the unfortunate incident has happened already, Gabby Otchere-Darko, a special advisor to the president requested to meet him. Apparently, the president sent him. Per his request, they met at Mahama’s residence.
“President Akufo-Addo did not seek my intervention on the E-Levy impasse.
I received Mr Gabby Otchere Darko, at his request, at my residence on Tuesday 21st December 2021.”
“Among issues we discussed was the desire of Ghanaians to see the two major political parties working together for the interest of the nation.
We discussed, also, how dialogue can be deployed to ensure Parliamentary issues are agreed consensually before coming on the floor to avoid what happened recently in the House.“
“We further discussed opening channels of communication between the leaders of the two parties including a possible meeting with the President at a future date.”
In conclusion, Mr Mahama emphatically, reiterated that the president didn’t consult him on the issue prior to the unfortunate.
“At no time was there any discussion specifically about the President requiring my intervention in the impasse on the E-levy.”