Opposition parties in Tamale demonstrate against Prez Mahama
Opposition political parties in Tamale yesterday staged a demonstration in the metropolis to protest against what they called tough living conditions.
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Dubbed: “Di Miiya”, which in Dagbani literally means “Times are tough”, the demonstrators marched through some principal streets of Tamale, including the Tamale-Bolga road, Aboabo and the Nasiria Road, and ended at the Zogbeli JHS Park, where they were addressed by some leaders of the opposition parties.
At the end of the march, a two-week ultimatum was given to President Mahama to reduce utility tariffs or face continued demonstrations across the country.
About 7:15 a.m., the demonstrators, comprising mainly supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the People's National Convention (PNC), the Convention People's Party (CPP) and the Progressive People's Party (PPP), as well as others from the All People's Congress (APC) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), had converged on the Veterans Park in Tamale to begin the protest march.
Placards
They carried placards bearing inscriptions such as: “We need change”, “No jobs”, “JM is naked”, “JM is wicked”, “Shei ka JM Shei”, “Di miiya reduce water”, “The stealing is too much”, “JM is visionless” and “JM is incompetent”.
Others read: “We want Nana Addo”, “Wahala school fees”, Patients are dying because of shortage of oxygen”, “No reduction, no vote”, “No more dead goat wahala”, “We don’t eat green book, JM”, “Di miiya gam gam”, “Shei koo shei”, “Boys abre”, among others.
Contrary to earlier statements by the police that they would not be able to provide security for the demonstrators because of the presence of President Mahama in the region, the Daily Graphic saw some armed policemen in a van following the protesters and at times directing them on the right routes to take.
Ultimatum
Addressing the demonstrators at the Zogbeli JHS Park, a Deputy National Communications Officer of the NPP, Mr Anthony Karbo, said if President Mahama failed to meet the two-week ultimatum issued by the protesters, there would be demonstrations every month across the country to press home their demand.
According to him, high utility tariffs, coupled with the high cost of living, had made life unbearable for many Ghanaians, particularly people in the Northern Region.
“We will continue to demonstrate until this government listens to the people,” he said.
Mr Karbo said the next demonstration would take place in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital, and would be moved to Wa and Sunyani if the President did nothing about their demand.
Vote for NPP
The National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Mr Sammy Awuku, urged people in the region, particularly the youth, to vote massively for the NPP in the upcoming polls.
“Let us hold politicians accountable to their work and their promises. When politicians promise and cannot deliver, kick them out, so that new entrants will learn something out of it,” he added.
The Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Mr Bugri Naabu, said it was about time Ghanaians voted for Nana Akufo-Addo to save the country from the bad governance it was experiencing under President Mahama.