The National Democratic Congress flagbearer for the 2024 general elections, former President John Dramani Mahama has emphasized the need for the opposition party to win the upcoming general election to salvage the country’s struggling economy.

The former President, while delivering a passionate address at the inauguration of the National Democratic Congress Aldershot branch of the United Kingdom and Ireland Chapter underscored the urgent need for Ghanaian to vote against the governing New Patriotic Party in the December 7 polls.

Mr Mahama particularly urged members, supporters and sympathizers of the opposition party both home and abroad to rally behind the party, not merely for partisan gain, but for the restoration of the country’s crumbling infrastructure and economy.

Highlighting the dire state of affairs across various sectors, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama bemoaned the alarming decline of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as a testament to the current administration’s shortcomings.

The former President cited some state entities that according him were once-thriving under the previous National Democratic Congress administration but are currently struggling under the New Patriotic Party administration led by President Akufo-Addo to underscore the mismanagement of the country’s economy.

“I will give you two examples. In the 2016/2017 crop year, the Produce Buying Company purchased 30% of the total cocoa exported from Ghana. Today, do you know how much PBC buys? 0%”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC’s Flagbearer

Produce Buying Company Financial Woes

Mr Mahama while lamenting over the perceived deteriorating state of affairs of the country’s cocoa Produce Buying Company, which use to play key role in the country’s cocoa sector further highlighted its repercussions.

He asserted that the near-collapse of the country’s Produce Buying Company extend beyond mere financial losses as the situation has worsened the plight of the company’s workers, with several of them not being paid for ten months.

Former President John Dramani Mahama further highlighted the distressing financial state of the Produce Buying Company, alleging that some banks are currently repossessing the company’s assets due to its insolvency.

Moreover, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer and leader recounted a damning assessment of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, which he equally stated used to be a beacon of success under his administration.

Mr Mahama while touting the success of the State Distilleries Corporation for the manufacture of alcoholic beverages under his administration alleged that today, the company is a “shadow of itself”.

He posited that the state-owned enterprise is currently regressing from profitability to struggling solvency.

The former President concluded by stressing that the failures plaguing several state enterprises (SOEs) in the country, stating that the situation start from missed salary payments to diminished productivity.

He accused the governing New Patriotic Party administration under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for supervising the collapse of several state enterprises since it assumption to power in 2017.

Mr Mahama thus emphasized that the rallying call for electoral victory for the National Democratic Congress transcend party lines, framing the upcoming election as a pivotal juncture in Ghana’s governance and development trajectory.