NDC losing grip of Volta

Today can report that thousands of supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in eighteen (18) out of the twenty-six (26) constituencies in the Volta region have defected to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Progressive People's Party (PPP).

The defectors were angry supporters from constituencies perceived to be electoral strongholds of the ruling NDC.

They were supporters of the ruling NDC who embarked on door-to-door campaigns in the various constituencies in the region for the NDC since 1992 to 2012 General Elections.

The defections are said to have shaken the NDC to its foundations.

Spokesperson for the group, Mr. George Sir McCarty Agblewornu, who confirmed the story to Today said they felt abandoned by the ruling party hence their decision to defect to other parties.

When he was asked how many NDC members had defected, Mr. Agblewornu said: “they numbered in thousands,” noting that some were card-bearing NDC members whilst others were just sympathizers.

He hinted that the group would soon hold a press conference to formally announce their defections.

He revealed that the disenchanted NDC supporters were disappointed in the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama whose government has refused to listen to the cry of the people in the region.

According to him, the economic hardship, unfulfilled promises, poor and uninspiring leadership, and deceptive politics, among other things, necessitated their defection.

Mr. Agblewornu further observed that since President Mahama assumed office after the sudden demise of President John Evans Atta Mills, he had not carried out a single development project within the region widely perceived to be NDC’s stronghold.

“The only thing that Voltarians have received from President Dramani Mahama has been empty promises and assurances," he stated.

He pointed out that they joined NDC because they wanted improvement in their lives.

“Enough of the deception and the propaganda; it is high time the government “walked the talk,” Mr. Agblewornu added.

He asserted that the region’s loyalty, commitment and support for NDC, and particularly for the Mahama administration, had not yielded any dividend. He disclosed that major road networks within the region were in bad condition, a situation he claimed was “placing the lives of the people in the region in danger.”

“The eastern corridor road, for instance, is a death trap. Many people have lost their lives through accidents on that road,” he said.

According to him, residents of communities in the region, especially those from “Akatsi South, Battor, Manfi Adidome, Tefle Avega to Avedakpla Afiadenyigba” are victims of what he described as the “bad roads in the region.”

Mr. Agblewornu could not fathom why the reconstruction of the Adomi Bridge, “which was supposed to last for about six months, has been extended to 24 months.”

He bemoaned the exploitation of Voltarians as a result of the delay in completing the reconstruction of the bridge.

According to him, “vehicles which used to pay between GH¢1 and GH¢5 as toll on Adomi Bridge are now paying between GH¢10 and GH¢15 for crossing by ferry.

Mr. Agblewornu also lamented the falling standards of education in the region, coupled with high youth unemployment.

“Nothing seems to be working in the region. The previous Basic Examination Certificate Examination (BECE) results are clear indication of the falling standards of education in the region,” he said.

He was of the view that the constituents needed to change their voting pattern since the Volta region, despite being the stronghold of the NDC, could not boast of any development project(s).