The running mate for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 Presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has asserted that the administration of Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo inherited a struggling economy from the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government led by John Dramani Mahama in 2016.
However, he emphasized that the current Akufo-Addo/Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia administration has successfully navigated these difficulties and achieved significant progress.
He noted that there have been considerable advancements in macroeconomic stabilization, particularly in areas such as inflation control, debt restructuring, and fiscal consolidation.
Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh remarked that a robust economy is essential for the development of any nation. He pointed out that under former President Mahama, Ghana’s economy experienced a decline, which resulted in the cancellation of Nursing Trainee allowances and prolonged delays in payments to teachers, some of whom were owed for nearly three years.
In an exclusive interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the former Minister of Energy and Education reiterated that the prosperity of an economy should be evident in the growth of its citizens, a reality that was not reflected during the tenure of the NDC government.
Ghana’s economy must be beneficial to all Ghanaians. There are countries who have experienced tremendous economy growth but the citizens do not have the freedom to enjoy the economic growth. A lot of such events have happened in communist’s countries and countries where the leader is a dictator. Women were not permitted to go to school nor work neither were they allowed to engage in any meaningful venture.
Economic growth should be translated to the welfare and wellbeing of the individual people, including the environment, however, the truth is that, when power was handed over to Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo in January 2017, the Economy was already in shambles. The previous government had lied its way through to IMF with policies they knew very well that they will not be able to follow through to the latter.
He further articulated that during the tenure of former President Mahama, Ghana experienced continuous power outages for a duration of four years.
This situation resulted in the closure of numerous promising businesses, which in turn led to significant layoffs. The business owners were unable to compensate their employees due to the diminished production levels.
The former President, John Dramani Mahama, at the time of leaving office, boldly told the then incoming President that the economy has been left with crumbs.
The Vice Presidential candidate of the NPP highlighted the economic sector’s performance during the tenure of President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia, asserting that there have been notable advancements, with industry, agriculture, and services all witnessing substantial growth.
