The country was thrown into a state of ecstasy following President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s address to the nation, Sunday, which announced some interventions by the government as it strives to limit and stop the importation of Coronavirus, contain its spread, provide adequate care for the sick and limit the impact of the virus on social and economic life.
Among others, the president mentioned that the government will absorb the water bills for all Ghanaians for April, May and June; roll out a soft loan scheme up to a total of six hundred million cedis (GH¢600 million), which will have a one-year moratorium and two-year repayment period for micro, small and medium-scale businesses.
An insurance package, he said, “with an assured sum of three hundred and fifty thousand cedis (GH¢350,000) for each health personnel and allied professional at the forefront of the fight, has been put in place, with a daily allowance of one hundred and fifty cedis (GH¢150) being paid to contact tracers.”
A tax holiday for all health workers, for the next three months was also announced while disclosing that “all frontline health workers will receive an additional allowance of fifty per cent (50%) of their basic salary per month, i.e April, May, and June. The March allowance will be paid alongside that of April.”
The wild jubilation, however, became political as some social media users turned the conversation into an election game changer. They suggested that the president has scored political points, slimming former president John Mahama’s chance of bringing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) back to power.
A video of Mr. Mahama weeping profusely during the launch of NDC’s Electronic Payment Platform in January emerged, forming part of the materials used in trolling the flagbearer. While suggesting Mahama was crying over his loss, others used memes to taunt him.
Here are a few:
Mahama’s reaction after Mr. President’s address. @NAkufoAddo u do all. #4more4nana pic.twitter.com/gYcIcNeXh3
— Jamaludeen A Abdulla (@JamalJamaludeen) April 5, 2020
Mahama dey locked room for Houseparty de cry ???? pic.twitter.com/P66tEKhZjZ
— kofi Pocohantas (@trollscco) April 6, 2020
Someone said the way Ghanaians are finding it difficult to pay utility bills and Nana is making it free for 3 months yi de3 unless Mahama promises 1 man 1benz this 2020 election
— foxzybilly (@foxzybilly) April 6, 2020
The way Nana Addo dey do things dier unless Mahama go take The Professor from money heist as in vice ooo.
— Ipeaz (@realest_Ipeaz) April 6, 2020
Mahama when Nana Addo said free water bills for 3months pic.twitter.com/nGTGDigyK8
— 666??????????? (@Micky5312) April 6, 2020
Seriously Mahama should just stand for peace na the President dierrr emake beans ???????????? pic.twitter.com/AHQ8ALmrox
— Akosua ????????? (@bibini__) April 6, 2020
What nana show boy dey do eeh...mahama should just use half of his election money for twitter give away and the rest for his tithe...his reward is in heaven????
— Krofrom TeLLyTuBBY???? (@3kcm_3ya) April 6, 2020
The only thing Mahama can do to win over Nana Addo is to turn himself to Okomfo Anokye to fight death and bring Ghanaians the key ???? of life .okomfo Anokye no koraa mu antimi ???????????????????????? #4More4Nana pic.twitter.com/RIHHplefKX
— Nungua Shatta Bundle (@BraYogurt) April 6, 2020
Mahama searching for COVID-19 vaccines ???????? https://t.co/52tLBlPD32
— Tema Marshmello?????? (@yoo_mercury) April 6, 2020
Mahama & his cronies can try again in 2058. ????????
— Kwachaman Selasie (@iAmSelasie) April 6, 2020
Chale the way Nana Addo dey do the things rydee dier Mahama for really sit down with Micheal Scofield or Reddington to plan something to win this year’s elections ????
— Schoolboy Q (@SchoolboyQJr) April 6, 2020
From the way President Akufo-Addo is making governance very attractive to the whole world, the only thing that can make Mr. John Dramani Mahama get 40% is to find the VACCINE FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC... #4More4Nana
— 4more4nana (@bra_louis) April 6, 2020
Meanwhile some have suggested that Mahama should rather be praised. According to them, during his time as president, Mahama took pragmatic steps in ensuring that no Ebola case was recorded in the country. They argued that a good leader should be proactive.
#StopTheSpread #StayAtHome RT apostle_tbill: You all remember Ebola? Was more devastating. And I think President Mahama's government strategy and measures then was the best in West Africa
— Kortidro ???????? ???????? ???????? (@AmaTailor) April 6, 2020
But we all know what his next election results was. Learn lessons.
We do this and turn …
I dont see why people are trolling mahama and praising Nana Addo. Is this something to be doing politics with? This is basic. The only difference is, its Nana addo’s job to impliment it not JDM. Pls read pic.twitter.com/A7GCDgZ58O
— KingOfTheNorth???????? (@lord_teerexx) April 6, 2020
Mahama is in a comfortable lead ??????????????? pic.twitter.com/6bJIzKLygE
— ABRONYE ???????? (@Ankamase3) April 5, 2020