President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has characterized former President John Dramani Mahama, the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as a “failed president,” asserting that his inability to secure a second term was due to ineffective economic management.
During a meeting with professional organizations in Kumasi on Sunday, November 24, President Akufo-Addo attributed Mr. Mahama’s loss in the 2016 elections to his poor handling of the economy, which resulted in significant hardships for the Ghanaian populace.
The President noted that Ghanaians chose to reject Mr. Mahama in 2016 as a direct consequence of the economic challenges they endured during his administration.
He urged voters to be cautious about granting Mr. Mahama another opportunity to lead, contending that his previous term did not instill confidence in his leadership capabilities.
Additionally, President Akufo-Addo criticized the NDC’s suggestion of establishing a 24-hour economy, deeming it impractical. He emphasized that during Mr. Mahama’s administration, the government struggled to ensure a stable power supply for even 12 hours, rendering the concept of a 24-hour economy unrealistic.
These comments arise as both the NPP and NDC ramp up their campaigns in anticipation of the December 2024 elections. The President further underscored the economic difficulties experienced under Mr. Mahama’s leadership, pointing out that in 2016, without any global crises impacting the nation, Ghana’s GDP growth rate was a mere 3.4%, the lowest recorded in over a decade.
Mahama speaks as though he is a new figure in Ghanaian politics, but there is nothing new about him. He has been around for as long as I have, and many Ghanaians remember his record.
