John Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly criticized President Akufo-Addo for his comments about withholding development in Ekumfi due to the area’s decision to vote against his party’s candidate in the 2020 general elections.
In January 2024, President Akufo-Addo made a controversial statement revealing that his government had intentionally withheld development projects in the Ekumfi constituency as a consequence of the residents’ decision to vote out his party’s candidate, Francis Ato Cudjoe, during the 2020 general elections. The President shared this during an interaction with traditional leaders from Ekumfi at the Jubilee House, where he openly expressed his displeasure with the voting pattern in the area. He indicated that the electoral outcome in Ekumfi, which saw the loss of his party’s candidate, had influenced the decision not to prioritize the constituency for development initiatives. This comment sparked criticism, as many saw it as a politically motivated move that punished the people of Ekumfi for their voting choice.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, former President John Mahama condemned President Akufo-Addo’s remarks, emphasizing that every citizen, irrespective of their political affiliation, has the right to have their concerns heard and their needs met. Mahama argued that it is the duty of the government to serve all Ghanaians fairly, without discrimination based on voting patterns, and that no community should be deprived of development because of their electoral choices.
Mahama accused Akufo-Addo of engaging in “petty partisan politics” instead of being accountable to the people of Ghana.
John Mahama assured that if elected, his government would make development a right for all citizens, not a privilege for a select few. He questioned how any government could ignore the needs of the people it serves, particularly by punishing communities for their democratic choices, such as voting for the NDC and electing its parliamentary candidates.
In his Facebook post on Sunday, November 10, 2024, John Mahama emphasized that the issue at hand is not merely political but a question of justice and accountability. He stated that every citizen, regardless of their political affiliation, has the right to have their voice heard and their needs addressed. Reflecting on his previous presidency, Mahama assured the public that, under his leadership, development would be a right for all, not a privilege for a few. He promised that an NDC administration led by him and Naana Jane would prioritize the progress of all communities, ensuring that no community is left behind.