Confirmation by former President John Mahama that he this this week held a meeting with Gabby Otchere-Darko, a cousin of the President, Nana Akufo-Addo at the request of the President, has sparked anger and feeling of betrayal in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The said meeting according to the ex-President was over how the two main parties could work together in the interest of the country.
Many NDC supporters have taken to various social media platforms especially Facebook and WhatsApp expressing surprise at the meeting held in the private residence of Mr. Mahama and pouring out their frustrations while demanding to know Gabby’s locus in the Akufo-Addo government to be allowed access to discuss governance issues with an ex-President.
The anger in the NDC has forced Spokesperson for Mr. Mahama, Joyce Bawa Mogtari on her Facebook page to write “As a leader, HE John Dramani Mahama has always demonstrated a deep passion for the advancement of our nascent democracy & an even more admirably unique quality of tolerance for everyone be they political opponents or critics. A character trait worthy of emulation. He remains resolute in his convictions!
Gabby has never spared an opportunity to verbally abuse Mr. Mahama when he was in office as President and out of office as opposition leader.
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During last year’s presidential campaign, the two men exchanged words after Gabby, had posted a campaign flier with pictures of Mahama and his running mate, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang describing the two as “incompetent”.
“Clearly incompetence can be both chronic & incurable, transcending electoral cycles,” Gabby tweeted, adding “How can any serious alternative govt promise to rescue democracy from financial sector, health sector and agric sector? What will be left? Whoever is leading NDC campaign publicity doesn’t get it.
Mahama hit back at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) member and suggested he was obsessed with the NDC and suffering from psychosis.
He further took a swipe at Gabby, saying a man with the powers of a Prime Minister should be busy with more important state matters.
“Clearly some psychosis can lead to unrestrained obsession. The ad referred to is not official & it’s obvious to all. Besides, I thought our ‘PM’ would be busy with weightier matters of state than an amateur ad put out by an overly enthusiastic supporter of our party,” Mahama wrote.
One party supporter, Alhassan Sumani in reference to the 8 NDC supporters who got killed at last year’s general election, remarked “When 8 innocent citizens were murdered in 2020 there weren’t any meeting”. These murders in Odododiodio in Accra, Techiman South and others are yet to be investigated with those behind it arrested, tried and punishment if found liable of murder.
One David Makafui Dornyo These PDS criminals know their time of reckoning is near…they want to play on the mind of JM so he won’t come after them….JM should be careful!!!
Mr. Mahama had in a Facebook post denied claims that President Akufo-Addo consulted him over the controversial E-levy but confirmed he met the cousin of the President, Gabby Otchere-Darko at the request of the President over how the two main parties could work together in the interest of the country. “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,” Mr. Mahama wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.
He added “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”.
He, however, insisted “At no time was there any discussion specifically about the President requiring my intervention in the impasse on the E-levy”.
Gabby, is yet to speak on the matter of the meeting with Mr. Mahama.
Meanwhile, Parliament has adjourned sine die failing to pass the controversial E-levy. The application for adjournment was moved by Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who argued the move is to ensure a serene environment for consideration of the controversial tax. It was supported by the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu.
On Monday night, disagreements that heralded voting over the bill caused chaos in the House with some MPs punching their colleagues.
The Minority side were livid after the First deputy Speaker of the House Joe Osei-Wusu who was presiding over affairs declared he was going to take part in voting which was being done by separation.
The Minority has insisted they are against the levy in all of its form and shape, describing it as ‘killer levy’.
The Majority insists the levy is needed to stop the country from its habitual borrowing.
The proposed levy, which was expected to come into effect on 1 February 2022, is a charge of 1.75% of the value of electronic transactions. It covers mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances. The originator of the transactions will bear the charge except for inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient. There is an exemption for transactions up to GH¢100 ($16) per day.
Amorse Blessing Amos, a known NDC face wrote that “expectedly, the base of our Party are incensed by a meeting between John Mahama and Gabby. The outpour of anger is justified. Its a clear message to those of us charged with mandate to lead the Party at any level to know how our people are poised for action for the Party to returned to power, and would not countenance any dalliance with NPP.
“Its also a knock on our doors that whatever our leaders are subjected to by NPP, the pain is equally felt by our base. The anger is a demonstration of love for JM and the extent to which they are ready to jealously guarded and defend him until victory is finally delivered.
Form morning to now, I’m sure JM himself has heard, seen and read the feelings of our base. I think the message to JM and other leaders of our Party have been unambiguously sent. Trust me, it has been well received.
I’ll plead that we do not over flog this issue. Let’s pipe down and turn the heat on the criminals who may be planning what next to loot. The base is alive. The feeling today is reminiscent of the 2008 feelings that we went into that election with.
Victory is only a step away. Let’s hold each other and work towards it.
Onasis Kobby, an Ashanti Regional Executive based in Accra, responded “Folks; I mean this from deep inside my heart, I would rather have JM meet with Gabby than any of the hypocritical Peace Council. When dealing with the opponent, you are naturally inclined to watch your back not when you are dealing with a cunning body like the peace council. Remember they impressed on the NDC to sign anti vigilante bill and peace pacts only to go to sleep and close their eyes to the brutalities that characterized the 2020 general elections.
They are dangerous and poisonous than Gabby.
The country is broken which requires a gem and naturally peace loving JM to stand up to the occasion.
I plead we look beyond the hurt and be sober in our reflections. Our problem as a country is not the NPP and its Government but the corrupt moral society.
Politicians will always play for the optics and what is happening is nothing far from the political art”.
Edem Agbanaa reacted to Joyce Bawah Mogtari’s post saying “Apt and timely.Leadership is a difficult place, sometimes you make decisions that are unpopular but will ultimately inure to the benefit of the people!
Yayra Koku Deku…..a known face in the Mahama camp also entered the fray to write “ On 7th January 2021, some comrades were so angry at our MPs for endorsing Joe Unwise and Asiamah for the 1st and 2nd Deputy Speaker positions respectively without subjecting them to an election.
Fast forward to 19th December 2021, the same people who were angry on the 7th of January 2021 were seen jubilating and praising our MPs for a yeoman’s job.
I can understand the displeasure being registered by party folks tonight on various platforms. They in deed have every right to be angry because in the first place who is Gabby to even hold a meeting with JM? Isn’t this character the main actor behind Akufo-Addo denying JM his official residence?
But comrades let us allow cool heads to prevail. One thing is certain, the JM I know won’t disrespect the grassroots. He knows what’s best for us and won’t do anything to the contrary.
I’m positive that we will soon appreciate this gesture of his. There is anger in the system and I can understand but let us give our leader the benefit of doubt.
Let’s not allow this singular act distract us from our goal.
We SHALL surely get there.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to everyone.
To this, Thelma Adigbo, reacted by asking Mr. Deku to go tell Mr. Mahama “He has spoilt our Christmas since you want to speak for him go and tell him that he shld stop meeting criminals. We have not forgotten what happened to our founder and those8 people that died during elections”.
David Makafui Dornyo replied “U don’t entertain such crooks in front of your house, let alone inside….JM should be careful else he’ll incur our anger…These PDS criminals know their time is up…they don’t want JM to come after them hence these tricks. These criminals went to the extent of killing 9 souls who went to protect JMs ballots, and they justified such a crime with the collaboration of Jean Mensah and irrational ruling in the SC. The NDC MPs for once stood up for the grassroots and Ghanaians…JM should not incur our anger…u don’t take a step forward and two steps backwards…. I am so pissed off…That’s how these hyenas infiltrated a whole JJ’s camp (The very JJ who warned us about them) and the rest is history!
Forson Boateng, wrote please some of these things discourage us. Does it mean that we the down members don’t know anything or what? We cry for him, pray for him, defend him always. Some of were killed because they were seeking for his victory. These guys he has been meeting facilitated all these painful conditions we went through.
I don’t want to think that, our leaders think about themselves and not the base supporters.
I’m disappointed in JM. Look at the way they regard him”.
Mcvin Yorm
“For me am disappointed in JDM.. I think there’s something at the background. Even the statement he issued is meaningless to some of us.. He should come clear.. We will not have trust. Then what they been saying npp n ndc are both the same, is it true??.. How do we defend this?? Oh my goodness Jm should come with clean hands n tell us what exactly went on between them?? Or the want to come together and chop the e-levy some?? … Someone should explain things..”
One Wisdom Gbafa wrote on the meeting saying…
Posterity! The alternative is not scary after all. The moment the lead of the “competent inc.” goes to seek for wisdom and help from “the incompetent one”. Vindication they say lies in the womb of time. ermm time came too early :). Henceforth, I hope the president and his team will eschew the archaic antagonistic political communication and posturing like he exhibited last Sunday at their recently held delegate conference. They must recognize that there is more gain in leading the conversation on consensus building and mutual respect for other actors in the democratic space including the minority group, fix the country movement et al ….. and ordinary Ghanaians. Whether we like it or not we have a hung parliament, and Ghanaians are so proud of that. Respectfully, HE Nana Addo must start LISTENING to the complains and cries of Ghanaians. Actions not words! Just like the opposition to the introduction of VAT in the 90s, Ghanaians say no to this killer E-levy tax. We are one Ghana! A blessed evening to you ALL!
Ex-Information Minister, Sabah Zita Benson wrote…This is the man the NPP called all sorts of names and tagged incompetent.
They, including the current president, family members, esp that character that met with JM today, have continually mocked and insulted him. Ken even threatened to burn down his house.
But as as things continue fall apart in their government, all of a sudden, they need the counsel of the same man they called incompetent! The center cannot hold indeed.
There are some people in this NPP government who are school drop outs but have the audacity to also call this great man “incompetent” because their leaders call him that.
WHO IS INCOMPETENT NOW? How do you go to an incompetent person to help you steer the affairs of a country for which you told the whole country “we have the men”?
So this useless government now recognizes H.E John MAHAMA as having a voice? A voice that is respected in the country? A voice they must they must run to for cover to save them from their Shame?
I know comrades are angry because of the character that met him on behalf of the president. But we must not forget that our father is a statesman, a man of peace.
DON’T LET THEM MAKE YOU REDIRECT YOUR ANGER TOWARDS H.E JM when that anger shd still be on the killer taxes they are trying to impose on you in the 2022 budget.
FOCUS GUYS. THE OPPONENT IS NANA ADDO AND HIS NPP NOT JM.
That character was sent as a distraction so you would be angry at your top most leader. Don’t fall for it.
Daddy JM, our people say they don’t want you around that character. They don’t want any “father for all business”. They don’t trust that character because we all see how much they hate you.
But comrades, think about it, these people have eggs in their faces now. I ask again, HOW DO YOU GO TO AN INCOMPETENT PERSON FOR ADVICE?
Zeinab Alhassan, also wrote “the attacks, please minimize it. Isn’t that an embarrassment to NPP rather”.
