The issue started after Terkper’s interview on December 14 on TV3, where he suggested that the Free SHS program should be restricted to day students, using European examples to justify his position. Terkper said, “Why don’t we follow their examples? What makes us think that we should support Free SHS unfettered? Unfettered in the sense that the government takes every cost.”
This statement did not sit well with Nurudeen, who wasted no time in voicing his displeasure. He questioned why Terkper would make such comments, especially at a time when John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer, has not yet assumed power.
Nurudeen fired back, saying, “After all the efforts of John Dramani Mahama, including pledging to the Asantehene to refute claims that his government would cancel Free SHS, why would you make such comments about the policy when Mahama hasn’t even assumed office? Who sent you? Are you part of the transitional team?”
Nurudeen did not stop there. He directly linked the NDC’s defeat in the 2016 elections and their subsequent years in opposition to decisions made by Terkper during his tenure as Finance Minister. He accused Terkper of failing to support calls for job recruitment when the party was in power, even though there were vacancies to be filled.
He added, “You are the reason we went into opposition in 2016 because you opposed calls for job recruitment, even when there were vacancies. You didn’t help any NDC member but instead awarded hefty contracts to Bryan Acheampong.”
Nurudeen expressed deep disappointment over what he described as Terkper’s failure to support the party’s recent campaign efforts. He emphasized that Terkper had been absent during a critical period when the party needed all hands on deck to secure victory.
In his words, “What pains me the most is that he didn’t help or contribute during the campaign.” Nurudeen explained that the NDC’s recent victory had come at a high price, revealing that the campaign had cost the lives of four party supporters.
The Ashanti Regional Communications Officer issued a final, stern warning to the former Finance Minister. Nurudeen made it clear that if Terkper continued to make comments that undermine the party’s hard work, he would face consequences similar to those of expelled NDC members. He said, “If you continue to make statements undermining the party’s efforts, you will be treated as an outsider, similar to expelled party members like Koku Anyidoho and Allotey Jacobs.”