Salam Mustapha, the National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has responded to the three-day demonstration organized by the Democracy Hub with strong words of both commendation for the government’s achievements and condemnation of the protest itself.
He condemned the actions of the police force on the first day of the Democracy Hub demonstration, comparing it to the brutal treatment the youth received during a protest in September 2015.
He emphasized that the right to demonstrate is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and that citizens have the right to peacefully voice their concerns.
According to Salam Mustapha, throughout the three-day protest, he struggled to identify a clear and specific demand behind the demonstration.
He noted that while some issues like road maintenance, the cost of living, and others were raised, he found the overall message lacking clarity and direction.
He acknowledged the economic challenges facing Ghana since 2021, attributing them to the global impact of COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions caused by the war in Eastern Europe.
He said, “It’s imperative to point to the ravaging consequences of COVID-19 and the current supply chain disruptions caused by the war in Eastern Europe. This has dealt a significant blow to our economic outlook as a country, just as the entire global economy has been struck by these catastrophic events.”
He defended the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government’s record, highlighting the significant strides made in various sectors, including infrastructure, education, health, sports, and industrialization.
The government, he empathized, inherited a challenging economic situation in 2017 but has since made substantial progress, citing the construction of critical road projects, investment in education, improvements in the health sector, and job creation initiatives.
“It is okay to criticise this government. We are human and have flaws, but in terms of infrastructural development, youth employment and support, and investment in the digital economy, no government comes near this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government,” he said.
Regarding unemployment, Mustapha acknowledged that it remains a significant concern but argued that the government has created over 2 million jobs and continues to address the issue. He expressed confidence in the NPP’s ability to tackle unemployment effectively compared to the opposition NDC.
Salam Mustapha also praised the government’s achievements in digitalization, citing the successful rollout of the national identification system and the Ghana Card.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by Ghana’s youth but maintained trust in the government’s efforts to improve the nation’s economic outlook.
He reminded the public that Ghana was the fastest-growing economy in the world in 2018, which translated into job creation and improved living conditions.
He asserted that the NPP government has a track record of “fixing” and will continue to do so.
“We are working for you! We are fixing Ghana! God bless our homeland, Ghana,” he added.