Dr Lawrence Appiah
As Ghanaians gear up for the December 7 polls, Dr Lawrence Appiah, founder of the Diaspora Progressive Movement in the USA, has delivered a passionate call to action, urging citizens to channel their anger, hunger, and frustration into voting out the ruling NPP government.
In a statement filled with pointed critiques of the current administration, Dr Lawrence accused the NPP of broken promises and economic mismanagement, arguing that Ghanaians had been “scammed” by lofty rhetoric. “We were all deceived into believing in a political messiah and an economic whizkid, but where has that led us?” he questioned.
Dr Lawrence pointed to specific grievances under the NPP government:
• Economic Hardship: He highlighted the depreciation of the cedi from 4.20 to 18.00 to the dollar since 2016, claiming this collapse destroyed businesses and livelihoods.
• Banking Sector Woes: The banking sector clean-up, initially pegged at GHC9 billion but ballooning to GHC25 billion, left countless bankers jobless, with some losing their savings entirely.
• Job Cuts: The abrupt closure of toll booths, which left workers unemployed overnight, was cited as a glaring example of poor governance.
• COVID-19 Mismanagement: He lambasted the alleged misuse of COVID-19 funds and questioned the government’s prioritization of $58 million for a National Cathedral over critical infrastructure like healthcare and clean water.
Dr Lawrence accused the government of hiding behind the Supreme Court to delay signing the LGBTQ+ bill into law, suggesting a disconnect between the administration and public sentiment. He also criticised the government’s inability to address corruption, questioning why Mrs. Bawumia no longer lauds her husband as an “economic whizkid.”
In an emotional appeal, Dr. Lawrence called on voters to reflect on their struggles and use their ballots as a weapon for change. “If this government made you unemployed, this is your chance to return the favour. If they destroyed your investments, vote to end their careers,” he urged.
Concluding his article, Dr. Lawrence rallied support for John Mahama and the NDC, calling them the “only hope” for reversing the nation’s misfortunes. “Vote wisely. Vote for Number 8. Aba no, Mahama afa!”
The passionate plea underscores growing dissatisfaction in some quarters as Ghanaians prepare for a pivotal election. Whether these frustrations will translate into electoral defeat for the NPP remains to be seen.
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