The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel A. Jinapor, is contending that any person who wants honeymoon period as a President is not ready to occupy the high office of the land.
According to Jinapor, who is also the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the presidency is not for Honeymooners, but people of action, who have demonstrable commitment to work in the interest of the people of Ghana.
Earlier this week, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, urged Ghanaians, particularly trade and labour unions, to give him a period of “honeymoon” should he be elected President, before making any demands on his Government.
Addressing NDC party faithful at Hohoe in Volta Region during his “Campus Connect” event, President Mahama said: “We will beg you that when we come into office gives us a bit of honeymoon, let’s put things in place so that we can bring back the economy onto its feet.”
Responding to a question from a group of journalists on the request by the former President, Mr. Jinapor said the business of running a country is not for honeymooners.
He said the statement from the former President clearly shows that he is not ready to occupy the high office of the President of Ghana.
“A President who wants to be given honeymoon period is not ready to serve the people. A President must be ever ready to serve, no matter the circumstances,” Mr. Jinapor said.
According to the Minister, President Akufo-Addo did not ask for honeymoon when he took over as President in 2017, after the NDC had run the economy down.
“Despite all the problems and economic challenges we inherited, Free SHS was implemented in the first year; National Health Insurance Scheme was revamped in the first year; real GDP grew from 3.4% in 2016 to 8.1% in 2017; several taxes were either reduced or abolished. That is the kind of President we need,” Jinapor said.
He added that even when COVID dealt a blow to the economy, the President did not ask for honeymoon period. On the contrary, some 38,000 nurses were employed, free electricity, water and food were provided to several households, whilst others were served hot meals.
He said what Ghana needs in 2025 is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to build on the gains of the Akufo-Addo Government and to continue the long-term policies that Government is implementing to unleash prosperity for Ghanaians.
He said most of these policies will start bearing fruits in 2025 and it was important that Ghanaians voted for a President who will continue with these policies rather than one who will come and enjoy honeymoon.
The Minister said he was confident that Ghanaians will look at the record of the Government and the personality of Dr. Bawumia and vote massively for him to continue with the good policies of this Government.