I hope NPP’s State of the Nation will not be election year gimmick – Pratt

Managing News Editor of the Insight Newspapers has cautioned the New Patriotic Party to be guided by the interest of all Ghanaians as it prepares to deliver its own State of the Nation Address, Monday.

Kwesi Pratt said the NPP has every right to present its own view about the state of the nation, but reminded them of the need to do so cautiously.

Speaking on Radio Gold’s news analysis programme ‘Alhaji and Alhaji’, the veteran journalist said “we have been promised by the New Patriotic Party that on Monday they will also give us their State of the Nation Address.

“I think it is a useful exercise but I do hope that it will be guided solely by the national interest, based on the truth and that it will not become another election year gimmick to hoodwink the people of Ghana,” he continued.

President John Mahama last Thursday presented to Parliament the 2016 State of the Nation Address, for the final year of his four-year term in office.

During the four-hour presentation, the president touted his government’s achievements during the four years focusing specifically on the education, energy and health sectors.

The president boasted of his administration’s ability to solve the four-year power crisis that crippled businesses and left many jobless.

The NPP described the president’s address as an exercise borne out of mediocrity.

Communications Director of the party, Nana Akomea said the address did not reflect the true state of the nation, adding that the president embarked on a propaganda mission in parliament.

The party’s presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced later on Friday that he will deliver “The Real State of The Nation” on Monday.

But Kwesi Pratt believes that the only way the NPP will make an impact with its presentation is to be circumspect.

“The people of Ghana know what they want…they know what is right, they are discerning and can evaluate all of these different state of the nation addresses and come to their own conclusions.

“It is within their right to do it and I have no problem with it but it ought to be done in order to elevate the discussion to a point where all of us a demonstrating significant maturity. To the point where it can be said that our politicians are focused on bread and butter issues, kenkey and fish issues of our people,” he added.

Source: Myjoyonline.com