A founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, has issued a stark warning to Ghanaian leaders, urging them not to take citizens for granted in light of recent events in Kenya.

His comments come in response to the violent protests in Kenya, where several people were killed and hundreds injured as demonstrators stormed the parliament on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, to protest a controversial tax bill.

In an interview with 3FM’s Sunrise on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe emphasized that Ghana is not immune to similar upheavals if political leaders continue to prioritize their own interests over the needs of the people who elect them.

“The onus rests on the political elites who get the votes of the people to come into parliament. It is their duty to make sure that the needs of the people are met. But when they come there, what they should do for the people, they don’t do. They rather stick to their own personal interests. And it appears it has been the norm for almost all political parties, and this is very disturbing,” onuaonline.com quoted Dr. Tamakloe.

Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe drew parallels between the youth of Ghana and Kenya, suggesting that the frustrations and grievances that led to the violent protests in Kenya could easily be mirrored in Ghana if the political class does not change its approach.

“If we are not careful, what is happening in Kenya now, I will never say it can never happen here. I have been around for a while and I have seen a lot, and when I look at what happened in Kenya, it reflects my mind on certain things that happened in this country years ago,” he warned.

Reflecting on his past experiences with protests in Ghana, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe said the potential for unrest if the government fails to address the concerns of its citizens.

He stressed that the youth in Ghana, like their Kenyan counterparts, are capable of mobilizing and expressing their dissatisfaction through mass protests.

The recent violence in Kenya serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of neglecting the needs of the populace. Kenyan police responded to the demonstrations with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.

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