Opposition political parties in the northern region on Monday gave government another two weeks ultimatum to reduce utility bills or be prepared for yet another regional demonstration.
The parties gave the ultimatum Monday when they hit the streets of Tamale to protest high utility bills calling on government to reduce electricity bills by 50%.
With some demonstrators carrying placards that read: “Mahama must step down,” “Mahama killer tariffs,” “Reduce water and electricity bills now,” and “Trainee nurses allowances must be reinstated,” the much anticipated demonstration brought together almost all the opposition political parties.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP), Convention People’s Party (CPP), Progressive People’s Party (PPP), All People’s Congress (APC) and People National Convention (PNC), organisers of the demonstration want government to reduce the high cost of electricity.
In attendance were NPP National Nasara Coordinator, NPP National Youth Organizer, women representative from NPP national headquarters, Madam Jacqueline and the deputy national communication director, Mr Anthony Karbo.
Addressing some disaffected demonstrators at the Zogbeli school park in Tamale, Mr Karbo hinted that the parties will continue to demonstrate in Upper East and Upper West regions if government fails to listen to the people.
A petition he said will be presented to the president and the parties expect a response within two weeks or they will hit the streets again.
The national youth Organizer of NPP, Mr Sammy Awuku urged voters to teach non-performing politicians lessons by not voting them into power in the December 7 general elections.
Representatives of the minority parties took turns to address the demonstrators and to reaffirm their resolve to impress on government to reduce utility prices.
They chastised government for what they called hard economic hardship among the people in the region in spite of government continuous touting of transforming the lives of Ghanaians.
In a keynote address, the outspoken Northern regional chairman of the NPP in summing everything to end the Di Miiya or times are hard demo at the Zogbeli Park, thanked the regional police command for providing personnel. According to him, the police had no option but to provide protection for the demo after earlier writing to inform him of their intention to suspend it.
Reacting to the demonstration, the director of elections of the governing NDC in the northern region, Mr Tanko Abdul Rashid described the demonstration as an NPP demo. According to him, the presence of NPP national officers gives credence to the NDC’s earlier claims that the NPP was using minority parties as a cover to disturb the peace in the north.
“We told you that it was NPP, they came from Accra with a bus and 7 buses from Upper East region, so we are not surprised,” Mr Rashid added.
