The Editor of Gye Nyame Concord, Alfred Ogbame, has lashed out at the Mayor of Accra Alfred Vanderpuije, describing him as a populist who is doing everything to catch the attention of the citizenry.

The editor claims Mr Vanderpuije has since his assumption of office, undertaken projects which have so far failed to yield successful results.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) boss has recently come under harsh criticisms for some activities he has been engaged in.

Two weeks ago, the Head of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service ACP Angwubutoge Awuni labelled the mayor who was directing traffic at the Tetteh Quarshie interchange for as courting cheap publicity. The mayor has also been under fire for banning street hawking in the city without providing an alternative place for the vendors.

Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo programme Thursday, Mr Ogbame suggested that the mayor’s failure to relocate the hawkers may have accounted for a scuffle between members of the AMA taskforce and a shoe seller which resulted in the hawker sustaining a ghastly tear of his right ear.

Recalling the mayor’s attempt to eradicate the shift system in some schools, Ogbame claimed Mr Vanderpuije did not budget for the project and thus has brought undue pressure on teachers, pupils and parents.

The National Women’s Organiser of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Otiko Afisa Djaba – contributing to the discussion – also bemoaned the mayor’s attitude especially towards street hawkers and pleaded that he does his work with a human face.

Describing the mayor as overenthusiastic and his actions ridiculous, Otiko added: “You cannot abuse the rights of the people under the leadership of a president who is touted as peaceful.”

Meanwhile Mr Yaw Boateng Gyan, National Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a stern warning to the mayor, asking him to call his men to order.

Mr Boateng Gyan insisted the mayor’s conduct was complicating he (Gyan’s)work as a national organiser.

We promised Ghanaians a ‘Better Ghana’, Yaw Gyan said, and added that this is not it.

Story by Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana