Mahama rebuts claims of NDC’s lack of social intervention policies; lists key social interventions by NDC
Former President John Dramani Mahama has vehemently countered assertions that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lacks social intervention policies, describing such claims as uninformed. During a press briefing on Sunday, Mahama outlined numerous social interventions introduced by the NDC.
“The District Common Fund was introduced by the NDC and included in the 1992 constitution, allocating 5 to 8% of total government revenue to district development,” he stated. He emphasized the impact of the fund, citing the construction of schools, nurseries, sports facilities, and community centers as direct results.
Mahama also highlighted the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND) by former President Jerry Rawlings and the NDC, which has been instrumental in providing significant educational infrastructure. “Without GETFUND, where would our education be?” he queried.
Addressing water accessibility, Mahama noted that the NDC significantly improved water supply during their tenure, increasing access from 57% to 76% by the time they left office. He criticized the current administration for failing to expand water capacity in Accra, exacerbating supply issues due to population growth.
Mahama underscored the NDC’s achievements in rural electrification, attributing over 80% national electricity access to policies initiated by the party. He also credited the NDC with the pilot programs for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Damango and Nkoranza, which were later expanded to a nationwide scheme under President John Atta Mills.
Highlighting additional interventions, Mahama mentioned the distribution of free school uniforms, sandals, and textbooks, and the introduction of progressively free senior high school education. In the cocoa sector, he pointed to free fertilizer and seedlings provided to farmers, which boosted production to one million tonnes before his tenure ended.
Mahama concluded by calling for an end to the narrative that the NDC lacks social intervention policies, asserting that the party’s initiatives have profoundly impacted various sectors in Ghana.
