The Upper West branch of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is demanding an apology from Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia after he supposedly donated expired relief items to flood victims in the Upper West Region on behalf of the government.
The development came to the attention of the party “after several complaints from some of the victims,” according to the Upper West Regional Communications Officer of the NDC, Prosper Puo-Ire.
Speaking at a press conference, he said “we noticed with shock and dismay, right after the donation that the items were expired products given to them.”
They were ” left in greater pains” after consuming the items, he added.
“Today the love for kingly power and it’s associated glamour has blinded Dr. Bawumia to our plight and further hardened his heart to the extent that he serves our people with expired food items at their times of vulnerability and sincere need.”
The Upper West NDC also accused the Vice President for allegedly taking advantage of the flood situation to doll out money and other freebies to sympathizers of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“Little did we expect that the Vice President will exploit our vulnerability and use our times of grieve to further his political whims and caprices.”
Prosper Puo-Ire further urged the government to quickly rectify the embarrassing situation “by coming to the aid of the disaster victims in a more dignified and proper manner”.
NADMO gaffe
The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has since taken responsibility for the distribution of the expired food items.
Communications Director for NADMO, George Ayisi on Eyewitness News described the development as a “mistake” on the part of NADMO.
NADMO in a statement also refuted reports indicating that the items were from the Vice President, saying “all items distributed to the three Northern Regions were not purchased by the Vice President’s office but were all supplied from the NADMO.
“NADMO takes full responsibility for the said mistakes and assures the general public that no such unfortunate incident will recur, “the statement added.
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By: citinewsroom.com/Ghana
