Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Dr Edward Mahama
Three presidential candidates, who partook in a Presidential Town Hall Meeting organized by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) in Takoradi on Tuesday, criticized President John Mahama for remitting the sentences of the Montie 3, who were sentenced to four months’ imprisonment by the Supreme Court for criminal contempt in August, this year.
The presidential candidates- Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr Edward Mahama of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and Independent Candidate, Jacob Osei-Yeboah, took part in the second IEA Town Hall, which provided them with the opportunity to outline their plans to address challenges facing the country.
The three candidates answered questions on the energy crisis, education, health, economy, governance, small-scale mining and unemployment in the country, among others.
Salifu Maase, a host with an Accra-based Montie FM and two panelists, Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako-Gunn, were found guilty of scandalizing the court.
After almost a month in jail, the three were released.
According to Dr Nduom, the three convicts should not have been released from prison, explaining that anybody who threatens the lives of judges in the country should be dealt with according to the law.
“We have a history in this country where some people agitated and some judges and a military officer lost their lives and so it’s not a joke or a matter of partisan politics when some people threaten members of the judiciary,” he noted.
On his part, Jacob Yeboah indicated that in this country some people make noise, threaten people and go scot-free but those who are quiet rather do not get justice.
Dr Edward Mahama was also of the opinion that the three convicts should not have been released.
The actions of the Montie 3 reminded the nation of the murder of some judges in the country.
GITMO 2
Touching on the transfer of the two Guantanamo Bay detainees to Ghana, popularly called ‘Gitmo 2,’ Dr Paa Kwesi Ndoum remarked that “the detainees do not belong here and wondered what foreign policy was followed to bring the two into this country.”
Jacob Yeboah was of the view that there should have been broad consultation in the country before the transfer of the detainees but stressed that the two do not pose any security risk.
Job Creation
The PPP’s leader Paa Kwesi Nduom stressed the need for the electorate to vote for the PPP, adding that he was worried about the future of the country.
“Let me say that I am disappointed that the President who has been given the mandate to rule and manage the country’s resources on behalf of the people failed to participate in the town hall meeting to account to the people who had voted him into office.
Jacob Osei-Yeboah advocated a National Electronic Data Information Infrastructure to enhance economic planning.
He noted that he would establish an Entrepreneurial Bank to help people who want to establish their own businesses.
The PNC leader, Edward Mahama, on his part, noted that he would focus on improving agriculture to create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.
Corruption
On the issue of corruption, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom warned that any Ghanaian, who has used illegal means to siphon the country’s funds, would start making payment when he (Nduom) becomes president.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi