We left behind a stabilised economy — John Mahama
Former President John Dramani Mahama refutes claims that his government left behind an economic mess, asserting instead that the economy was stable with promising growth prospects upon his exit. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Tamale, Mahama compared economic indicators during his tenure to current figures, highlighting increases in debt-to-GDP ratio and inflation under the current administration. He pledges to address economic challenges and prioritize job creation if elected, while urging citizens to reject Vice-President Bawumia and vouching for his own trustworthiness and track record.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized that his government did not leave behind an economic mess but rather a stable economy with promising growth prospects. He stated that before handing over power to the current ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, the economy was robust, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 57 percent, which was below the International Monetary Fund's recommended threshold of 60 percent for middle-income countries.
However, Mr. Mahama pointed out that the debt-to-GDP ratio has now exceeded 100 percent under the current government. He also highlighted significant increases in inflation, which rose from 15.5 percent during his tenure to 54 percent in December 2022 before dropping to 30 percent recently. Additionally, he mentioned that the budget deficit, which was 6.6 percent under his administration, surged to 15 percent under the NPP government before starting to decrease.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Tamale as part of his 'Building Ghana Tour', Mr. Mahama addressed various professional groups and constituents, including dressmakers, barbers, butchers, and teachers. He listened to their concerns and reiterated his vision for the country while seeking their support.
Mr. Mahama criticized the current government for what he sees as its failure to justify the mandate given to it by the people over the past eight years. He blamed the perceived economic challenges on what he described as "clueless economic management" by the current administration.
In terms of employment, Mr. Mahama pledged that an NDC-led government would increase cotton cultivation in the Northern Region from 4,000 to 100,000 tonnes annually, pointing out that the region's potential in this area has not been fully exploited.
The General-Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Kwetey, also addressed the gathering, urging citizens to reject Vice-President Bawumia and vouching for Mr. Mahama's trustworthiness and track record. He emphasized Mr. Mahama's credibility and suitability for leading the country, stating that he could be trusted with Ghana's resources and the destiny of its citizens.
What's Your Reaction?
