The National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has strongly criticized the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, accusing him of exacerbating Ghana’s economic woes and failing to deliver on his much-touted economic policies.
The National Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, in a scathing critique, blamed Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party Vice Presidential Candidate for the rising fuel prices and worsening economic situation Ghanaians are facing under the current administration.
“Dr. Bawumia recently boasted about championing 33 policies, including the much-vaunted Gold for Oil Program. Today, petrol prices have surged yet again, a disheartening norm with each pricing window. We now buy a liter of petrol at an exorbitant 15.10 cedis, far exceeding the cost of a whole gallon (4.5 liters) under President John Mahama’s tenure”.
Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary, NDC
Failed Economic Leadership
Mr Kwetey did not mince words in his assessment of Dr. Bawumia’s economic stewardship, labeling his so-called expertise as “nothing but a farce”.
He emphasized that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s inability to control price hikes through the “famous Gold for Oil program” starkly reveals his incompetence in the management of the country’s economy.
According to Mr Kwetey, the New Patriotic Party flagbearer for the upcoming general elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s poor performance exposes him as a failed economist who cannot ever be entrusted with the stewardship of Ghana’s economy.
He pointed out that under Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s watch, as the Head of the government’s Economic Management Team, every critical economic indicator has worsened.
These, Mr Kwetey noted include economic growth rate, unemployment, inflation, currency depreciation, and national debt.
Questioning Economic Policies
Furthermore, the National Democratic Congress General Secretary criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s acclaimed 33 economic policies, calling them “hollow” and devoid of real impact.
He argued that trusting Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic prowess is a ‘perilous gamble”, further questioning whether Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia still believes “empty slogans and grandiose policy sensationalism is what Ghanaians need”.
Mr Kwetey drew attention to the adverse effects of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the New Patriotic Party’s bad economic policies on everyday Ghanaians, particularly highlighting the skyrocketing transport fares.
He pointed out that from 2023 till now alone, transport fares have skyrocketed by over 500% in many urban areas, exacerbating the cost of almost all commodities.
Despite this, Mr Kwetey posited that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia remains fixated on his “empty rhetoric and campaign soundbites”.
The opposition National Democratic Congress chief scribe and former Member of Parliament for Ketu South, in concluding his statement called for Ghanaians to reject what he described as Dr. Bawumia’s incompetence and deceit.
He pointed out that the good people of Ghana deserve better, underscoring the critical need for all Ghanaians, particularly the electorates to reject the incompetence and deceit that Dr. Bawumia represents.
Mr Kwetey emphasized that it is time to rally behind proven leadership that genuinely understands and addresses the needs of the people.
He called for unity in choosing political leaders with a proven track record of integrity, competence, and real solutions, adding that the future of the country highly depends on it.
The governing party’s ‘Gold for Oil (G4O) policy” was initially lauded by some leading members of the ruling government as an innovative solution to Ghana’s fiscal challenges.
The ‘Gold for Oil G4O policy” policy was intended to leverage Ghana’s gold reserves to secure cheaper oil imports and stabilize fuel prices.
However, the persistent rise in fuel costs since the announcement of the policy has sparked widespread criticism and skepticism about the program’s effectiveness.
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