President Akufo-Addo describes first 100 days in office as successful
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has described his first 100 days in office as being successful given the promising policies he has lined up for the nation.
Today, April 17, 2017, marks first 100 days of the president in office.
Addressing the chiefs and people of Kwahu last Saturday, President Akufo-Addo said, “Before the elections, my opponents criticized most of my campaign promises. They said there was no way I could achieve them, but gradually, we are getting there. As my government has promised, the free SHS is starting this September.”
President Akufo-Addo said:, “as my government has promised, the free SHS is starting this September. All fresh Senor High students will enjoy this policy till they complete school. Before my tenure ends, you will know that I have fulfilled all my promises. I cannot deceive Ghanaians. That won’t happen.”
Among other things, the Akufo-Addo administration also fulfilled the campaign promises of cutting, abolishing and reviewing a total of 15 taxes including import levies on spare parts and Kayayei tolls.
The allowances of trainee teachers and nurses were restored, and peacekeeping allowances for military personnel have been increased from $31 to $35 per day.
Though the Akufo-Addo administration is only about four months into a four-year term, there have been a number of bumps it has had to contend with.
President Akufo-Addo was heavily criticised when his final batch of ministerial nominations ballooned his government size to 110 ministers and their deputies.
He nominated 50 deputies and 4 others to serve as Ministers of State at the presidency and ministries, making his government size the highest in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
President Akufo-Addo in defending the move, said the unprecedented problems facing Ghana demanded a large government
He insisted that, the problems facing the country, including the decline in the agriculture sector, corruption, the low growth rate of the economy, and the revenue leaks, required bold measures to address them, hence the appointments many have described as excessive.
The attacks by the Delta Force is one of the dark spots on his administration.
The numerous instances of the forceful takeovers of state properties and public facilities (including toilets, toll booths, school feeding programs, etc.), and the unlawful seizure of vehicles of members of the previous administration, put a dent on the hitherto smooth transition process.
The unprecedented happened when Delta Force members arraigned for attacking Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, escaped the custody of a Circuit Court in Kumasi, after their members riled up a storm in court.
Government has been criticised for not being able to deal decisively with the NPP-affiliated vigilante groups, mainly the Delta and Invincible Forces, which invaded sensitive government installations such as the passport office and Tema Ports and Harbor.
Sections of the public expressed disappointment in the President’s inability to call the pro-NPP groups to order, but he has expressed regret over the Kumasi incident and vowed that his government will not tolerate such acts.
Some were of the view that his handling of the lawlessness of vigilante groups, affiliated to the New Patriotic Party was not the best.
However, President Akufo-Addo has assured that, the rule of law will work in the country without fear or favour.
The first hundred days of the Akufo-Addo led government has seen accelerated campaign in the fight against illegal mining known as galamsey with the media and Civil Society Groups (CSOs’) demanding a no-nonsense approach from government.
Government responded by indicating that it was formulating a policy to curb illegal mining.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, on March 28, also gave a three-week ultimatum to all illegal miners to stop their activities or be prepared to face the law.
The President himself assured that, his remarks and intent in the fight against illegal mining were not empty promises, as his administration was going to deal with galamsey “once and for all in the history of our country.”
Meanwhile, a governance expert Dr. Eric Oduro-Osae speaking on Accra Based FM Joy and MultiTv on Saturday, says President Nana Akufo-Addo's New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has set the right foundation for success after first 100 days in office.
Dr. Eric Oduro-Osae who is the Dean of Graduate Studies of the Institute of Local Government Studies also said the swift manner in which government went about its appointments was commendable.
According to him, despite the incidents of attacks by some vigilante groups affiliated to the party, the Akufo-Addo led-government has started well.
He however, added that "what is lacking now is government's inability to take over sub-national governance level and that is very critical."
GBC