Former President, John Dramani Mahama, has hit hard at his critics who suggested he should have followed President Akufo-Addo’s example by donating his salary towards the coronavirus fight.
“I am spending money donating these PPEs. That’s my contribution. Somebody decides to donate his salary, that’s for him. I am spending money buying PPEs and distributing them. Everybody does what he thinks he can do best to help.
“I believe that donating my salary in the future will not help. When will that salary come in. We need the items now and so if I have money, I’d rather use it and buy PPEs and give it to front line workers,” he said in an interview with JoyNews.
President Akufo-Addo in his televised fourth address on the coronavirus outbreak announce, he was donating his three months salary towards the COVID-19 Trust Fund to support government efforts at containing the virus.
The Vice President as well as some government appointees including the Chief of Staff and Ministers also followed the president’s example by donating half of their three months salary.
But the former President and flagbearer of the oppoistion NDC, John Mahama, who decided to donate medical equipment such as PPEs to the Korle bu teaching hospital and the Greater Accra Regional hospital, Ridge, was trolled on social media for not emulating the example of the President.
Responding to his critics in an interview with Joy News, Mr. Mahama said he did not see how a futuristic salary could help at a time when immediate assistance is needed for front line workers.
Ghana’s coronavirus case count has jumped to 287, the highest leap ever since the country recorded its first case on March 12, 2020.
The latest data released by the Ghana Health Service indicates that 73 new people are infected with the deadly virus, which has killed five people. As of Monday, the number of infected persons stood at 214.
The dead are between the ages of 41-84.
Data from the Ghana Health Service surveillance team indicates that a total of 172 cases were reported from the routine and enhanced surveillance activities.