Deputy National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Malik Basintale, has denounced the government’s new plan to distribute mobile phones to Ghanaians on credit as a “misplaced priority.”
In an appearance on TV3 Newday on July 22, he contended that the government should be addressing more urgent concerns, such as resolving outstanding payments for NABCO trainers and school feeding caterers.
“Providing smartphones doesn’t meet the demands of Ghanaians. After they get the smartphones on credit, will it solve the unemployment problem?”
“Go to the airport and see the number of people leaving the country. We must advise Dr. Bawumia to be serious. He should look at Mahama and the kind of policies he wants to bring. Dr. Bawumia has suddenly become a jocular person; if he doesn’t lie, he will joke,” he added.
He emphasized that campaigns should be about crafting policies while actively listening to the needs and concerns of the people.
“As I speak, the rains have started. The people in Dr. Bawumia’s hometown are waiting for the spillage of the Bagre Dam, and Dr. Bawumia believes a smartphone is needed at this time,” he noted.
Malik Basintale questioned whether Dr. Bawumia believes that providing smartphones is a priority when NABCO trainers and school feeding caterers are still awaiting payment.
“Do you think the policy is a smartphone on credit, school feeding caterers, a bag of fertilizer has shot up, and you stand before people and all you think is a smartphone on credit? The biggest regret Ghana ever had is Dr. Bawumia as head of the economic management team of this government,” he noted.
Presidential candidate and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has pledged to improve smartphone accessibility for Ghanaians if elected. During a recent campaign event, Dr. Bawumia detailed his plan to work with phone manufacturers to offer smartphones on a credit basis.
“We will make mobile phones accessible. My government will partner with phone manufacturers so that Ghanaians can afford them on credit and pay 1 or 2 cedis every month.”
He emphasized that this initiative is a key component of his administration’s digital inclusion strategy and overall digitization agenda.