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Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged Ghanaian leaders to avoid taking citizens for granted in light of recent events in Kenya. He cautions that if politicians prioritize their interests over the needs of the people who elected them, Ghana could experience similar unrest as Kenya.
In an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM’s Sunrise on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe emphasized that the Ghanaian youth are not much different from their Kenyan counterparts. He warned that it is a mistake to believe that what occurred in Kenya cannot happen in Ghana.
“The onus rests on the political elites who will get the votes of the people to come into parliament and it is their duty to make sure that the needs of the people are met. But when they come there, what they should do for the people they don’t do. They rather stick to their own personal interest. And it appears it has been the norm for almost all political parties and this is very disturbing,” he stated.
Reflecting on his past experiences with protests in Ghana, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe expressed concern that the political class has consistently neglected their duty to the people in favor of their personal agendas. He reiterated the importance of addressing the needs of the citizens to prevent potential unrest.
Several people lost their lives and hundreds were injured when thousands of demonstrators stormed Kenya’s parliament on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, to protest a contentious tax bill. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. Among the dead were at least three individuals who were shot as protesters overpowered the police and set parts of the parliament buildings on fire.
Kenyan President William Ruto addressed the nation, vowing to prevent such incidents from occurring again “at whatever cost.” The protests disrupted parliamentary proceedings, forcing lawmakers to flee after they had debated and passed the unpopular bill. The bill included new taxes on items such as bread, vegetable oil, sugar, and manufactured goods, including sanitary towels and diapers. The Kenyan government argued that the taxes were necessary to fund development programs and reduce public debt.
