The Vice Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama has described as a myth the development achievements of the ruling New Patriotic Party. He said his interactions with the people on his campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo and other regions have revealed that the NPP has done very little or nothing at all in their almost eight-year term in government. “After the NDC left what has happened here? Practically nothing.” Mahama narrated his interaction. This he said has made him proud about the achievements of the NDC. The Vice Presidential candidate was speaking about his campaign activities and other pertinent national issues on JOY FM’s Super Morning Show. John Mahama who is also a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi promised a truly free Basic Education in Ghana if the NDC is voted into power. He said the GH¢3.00 per head for one year was not enough to meet the educational needs of the students, adding that an NDC government will increase the capitation grant. He dismissed claims that Basic Education was free, citing printing fees, sports fees and other auxiliary amounts which he alleged were demanded from students. On Secondary education, Mahama said it was impossible to achieve free secondary education in the first term in office and that an NDC government will make secondary education progressively free in the first term and eventually make it free in the second term. He bemoaned the practice of politicians making vain promises to electorates adding that the Ghanaian electorates have now become very discerning. On the current controversial sale of Ghana Telecom, Hon. John Mahama was categorical. “The NPP government has run GT into the ground.” This he attributed to the “ill advised decision to sign a management contract with Telenol in 2002.” He said the country was being short changed in the current sale, adding that One touch alone could have fetched the country more than one billion cedis. He advocated for a separate bidding process for the fixed lines as well as fibre optics which he reckoned would have been more beneficial to the country. Author: Nathan Gadugah