The National Youth Organiser for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) George Opare Addo says former President Mahama’s decision to cancel both teacher and nursing trainees’ allowances was not the best.
Mr Opare Addo speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen admitted that the decision was unpopular.
According to him, the then NDC administration abolished the teacher- trainee allowances after training colleges were upgraded to tertiary institutions, indicating that the explanation is not ‘to justify the cancellation of the allowances.’
He said “the NDC government was spending GH¢950 on teacher trainees. And we were looking at issues of equity since they were upgraded to tertiary institutions.
“So we wanted to migrate them unto the student loan trust fund. Everybody has the right to change his mind, so there’s nothing wrong if former President Mahama believes the decision was unpopular. If he comes he will restore it because it was an unpopular decision and we apologise.”
Henry Nana Boakye the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, was also on the same show and accused the NDC of simply engaging in deceptive politicking.
“In 2016, Mr. Mahama swore heaven and earth that he will never restore the trainee allowance even if it will cost him the elections.
“It is therefore strange and unfathomable that someone who said there is no sense in paying trainees allowance would make a u-turn, after President Akufo-Addo had restored the allowance, to say that he will continue with the payment of same.
“This is clearly deceptive politics that has assumed a fearsome crescendo,”
Mahama’s decision to scrap of the allowances, recieved a lot of backlash from the public but has promised to restore if elected President.
