Justin Frimpong Koduah, the General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said the economic situation the country currently faces would have been in the mud, if it was handled by the New Democratic Congress (NDC).
The country has seen a downturn since the Covid-19 period, with the government embarking on a debt restructuring exercise in 2022, and also seeking a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2023.
Speaking in an interview, the General Secretary of the NPP averred that Ghanaians still have confidence in the government, despite the economic challenges and expressing hope that they will break the eight in the 2024 polls.
The NPP’s chief scribe indicated that even without the impact of COVID-19, coupled with the Russian-Ukraine war, the NDC wouldn’t have been able to manage the economy.
“Ghanaians still have confidence in this government despite the economic challenges, because they know that between the NDC and the NPP, NPP are better managers of the economy than the NDC. Ghanaians also appreciate the fact that had it not been NPP in power, and if it were the NDC, the situation would have been worse off than what we are experiencing now. I’m telling you if NDC were in government, the situation would have been worse off.
“Even without any COVID-19 or Russian-Ukraine war, they [NDC] wouldn’t have been able to manage the economy well. We saw what happened under H. E. President John Mahama’s tenure; four years of ‘Dumsor, the scrapping of the teacher/nursing trainee allowances, among others”.
Justin Koduah
Mr. Koduah called on Ghanaians to exercise restraint, assuring that the country will come out of the challenges soon.
“Ghana was touted as the fast-growing economy in the world until COVID-19. At the end of the day, we will come out of the challenges, unlike the NDC which told Ghanaians that children should stay home and not be allowed to go to school during COVID-19. When we discovered oil, they termed it as coconut oil ‘adwengu’. The same NDC told Ghanaians that free SHS is not possible. Can you tell us that they are better managers of the economy than NPP?”
Justin Koduah
Parliament on Friday, March 31, passed the Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022, the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill 2022 and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022. The financial bills seek to raise about 4 billion Ghana Cedis annually, as part of domestic revenue mobilisation.
The bills are also crucial to aid the government’s quest, to facilitate the Board Approval for the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme staff-level agreement. Many industry players have kicked against the passage of the new taxes, arguing that it will kill businesses.
NDC Has No Right To Blame NPP Of Dishonesty
The General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Koduah, slammed the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for accusing the government of corruption.
Mr. Koduah said the NDC lacks the moral right to point fingers at the NPP government, for engaging in corruption-related activities.
The NDC in its recent ‘true state of the nation address’ accused the government of being corrupt, it further blasted the government for sinking the economy into a ditch.
“I’m surprised the NDC will have the moral rights to talk about corruption in this country and level corruption allegations against the NPP, I’m very surprised. If NDC were coming in good faith, their presentation should have been how as a nation we will address this canker that we all abhor.
“The major issue in this country is when you talk about corruption, the perception has always been about politicians. Are we saying that in the media, there’s no corruption there? Are we saying that aside from politicians that you know, there is no corruption in the civil service, public service, judiciary?”
Justin Koduah
He said the NDC refused to make frantic efforts in ensuring that corruption was reduced to the barest minimum, during their tenure in government.
“Whistle Blower’s Act was also introduced by former President Kufuor’s administration. The office of the Special Prosecutor was introduced by President Akufo-Addo’s government. It may have its shortcomings and those things but at least to even have the desire and courage, we admit that these are issues confronting the country”.
“With all those allegations, until a court of competent jurisdiction hears the matter, tries it and comes to a determination, that is when you can make a statement that A or B is corrupt. Between NPP and NDC, which of our members are languishing in jail?”
Justin Koduah
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