Opinions of Saturday, 1 February 2020

Columnist: Raphael Kumah Abolasom

Ambulances are not a priority, says John Mahama; a very worrying pronouncement

Some of the parked ambulances Some of the parked ambulances

H.E John Mahama., did I just hear you say, ambulances are not a priority?

This comment made, during one of your Facebook live sessions doesn't add accolades to statesmanship.

Well, I am told, that when a man is desperately trying to "survive", he clutches at the least straw he could find. Before you left office, Ghana had only 55 near condemn ambulances to render emergency medical services in this country. As if that was not appalling enough, you imported empty Mercedes Benz vans (this is different from the Onuador medical outreach vans) in the name of ambulances after you told the whole world, that Ghana had entered into an agreement to supply 200 ambulances nationwide.

Out of the 200, only 30, empty, not equipped, not fit for purpose vans were supplied and taken custody of.

The scary part of this whole deal is the fact that, each of the empty vans cost the ordinary taxpayer a whooping $550,926.84 compared to Akufo-Addo’s fully furnished ambulance of $133,000 per one. In fact, this amount includes training of personnel! Value for money, this is what H.E Akufo-Addo exhibited.

If you care to know, the 30 empty vans have become a liability to mother Ghana, I just hope you won’t say every government hand over assets and liabilities!

The NDC as an alternative is not only scary, but bogus and crassly clueless. For interventions like PFJ, Free SHS, scholarships, a revamped NHIA and the many others, we do not need you anywhere near the Presidency again, you’ve done enough harm already.

I hope this piece finds you, have a lovely weekend.

#4More4Nana