A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications team, Emmanuel Senyo Amekplenu, has downplayed the significance of President John Mahama’s recent address outlining his 120-day social contract with Ghanaians, describing it as “not anything new or extraordinary.”

Speaking on the Prime Morning Show on Thursday, May 8, 2025, Mr Amekplenu criticised the President’s address, insisting it lacked substance and did not merit applause from the Ghanaian public.

“President Mahama’s address to the state yesterday [Wednesday] is not anything new or extraordinary that deserves a clap from Ghanaians,” he stated.

Drawing a comparison, Amekplenu likened the President’s renewed commitment to a struggling student trying to redeem himself after repeated failures.

“Mahama’s demeanour is similar to that of a student who underperformed in a previous term but is now determined to show Ghanaians that he will succeed this time,” he added.

In a sarcastic tone, he further claimed that the Mahama administration has “cleverly deceived Ghanaians and merits praise for it,” implying that the current leadership has not delivered genuine progress but instead manipulated public perception.

Mr Amekplenu also took a swipe at some members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing them of hypocrisy. He said many of those who previously criticised the Akufo-Addo administration for hardships caused by tariff increases are now presiding over similar hikes, including a 14% increase in electricity tariffs and a 4.0% rise in water tariffs.

Touching on Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which regulates mining operations in forest reserves, the NPP communicator reminded Ghanaians that President Mahama had promised to repeal the law, not merely amend it.

“The President assured Ghanaians that he would work to repeal the L.I. 2462 law rather than make any amendments,” Amekplenu stated.