Gordon Asare-Bediako, the Managing Editor of ABCNews, has condemned the recently announced hikes in fees and charges for obtaining or replacing a Ghana Card.
Asare-Bediako, also a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party's (NPP) communication team, minced no words as he lambasted the government for what he perceived as an unjust burden on the citizens.
He says the Ghanaian populace has committed no offence warranting such treatment.
He expressed dismay at the new charges, emphasising the hardships citizens endure in obtaining the Ghana Card, only to face exorbitant fees for replacements. "What crime have Ghanaians committed?" he questioned.
Asare-Bediako directed his criticism at the NPP, cautioning that their actions could cost them in the upcoming 2024 elections.
He urged Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the NPP's flagbearer, not to jeopardise his chances by ignoring the people's grievances.
Drawing attention to the disconnect between the leadership and the grassroots, Asare-Bediako emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue.
"Sometimes, when we speak, our leaders argue that when issues arise, we need to take our time. We are also on the ground and hear about things that are going on.
"I witnessed this on Saturday and the way people are angry. For the new charges, if President Akufo-Addo himself were to make an announcement, I would expect Dr. Bawumia to also issue a counter-announcement.
"What crime have Ghanaians committed? People struggled greatly to register for this Ghana Card, and perhaps by mistake, some have misplaced it. And yet, you're discussing such high charges. What kind of madness is this?
"Nobody can defend this rubbish. Forgive me for using harsh words, but these are the realities. Nobody can defend this rubbish, and if you guys go ahead to do this, kiss 2024 goodbye. Why?" he said on a panel discussion on Wontumi radio on April 22, 2024.
Source: ghanaweb.com
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ASARE - BEDIAKO DO NOT ARROGATE TO YOURSELF ALL KNOWLEDGE. THIS IS NOT A GOVERNMENT ONLY PROJECT. IT IS PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. SOME GHANAIANS CAN BE CAELESS SOMETIMES.IF YOU KNOW HOW VALUABLE THE GHANA CARD IS TO YOU, YOU WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. THE HIKES IS NOT PUNISH GHANAIANS BUT TO COVER THE COST OF ISSUING THE CARDS. THIS IS NOT FREE. TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR CARDS AND YOU WILL NOT PAY THE FEE
Massa, your Government is not serious and they take the Ghanaian for granted as if they themselves have given up hope of "breaking the 8" why are they such liars and then they have the audacity to minimize the dumsor issue as well by comparing it to 2012. Look in 2012, compared to 2024, thanks to Bawumia, everything has moved digital, thus it is an existential crisis when electricity which powers the internet is off. In other words the impact of dumsor now is more than ever very critical due to the digitization agenda by Bawumia. As if that is not enough, Bawumia now wants Ghanaian buses to be charged by electricity when electricity is not even stable, these guys are not serious!!