Former President John Dramani Mahama has urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to forgo funds needed to plan this year’s Independence Day celebration in order to address the nation’s current shortage of pediatric vaccines.
On Saturday, Mr. Mahama said he was concerned after reading about the vaccine shortage in the media. He was speaking during a discussion with National Democratic Congress (NDC) party delegates in Mepe, in the North Tongu Constituency of the Volta Region.
In light of all the country is currently facing economically, he feels that the elaborate celebration is unnecessary.
“Today I was very sad when I was reading in the media, and it said that for the very first time in the 4th Republic, since 1992, today we are short of some childhood vaccines.”
“For the first time in our history, I mean the elderly can’t get their bonds, children can’t get their vaccinations, and when I was coming from Ho, Adaklu, they were cleaning the place. They brought military vehicles and are coming to land at the Ho-Airport to celebrate Independence Day.” Independence Day for whom?” Mr. Mahama questioned.
“That money they are using to celebrate independence Day could have been used to buy vaccines for our children,” the former President added.
Further, Mr. Mahama stated that the lack of polio and measles vaccines puts the nation at risk for a disastrous situation in the event of an outbreak.
During his conversation with the delegates in North Tongu, Mr. Mahama did not hold back in criticizing the Nana Addo-Bawumia administration for its failures and poor economic management.
On Thursday, the former President launched his campaign at the Cedi Auditorium of the University of Health and Allied Science (UHAS) in Sokode, close to Ho. The former President is vying to lead the NDC once more as the flagbearer into the 2024 elections.
He visited each of the 18 Volta Region constituencies before the campaign launch in order to meet people and ask for party delegates’ support and votes before the election
