In a pointed critique, Naa Atswei Nee-Okpey, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, has strongly criticized Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic policies, accusing him of leading Ghana’s economy into a “state of tatters”.
Speaking on the NPP’s handling of the economy, Nee-Okpey described Dr Bawumia as an “economic mismanager,” noting that he was once heralded as the country’s “economic messiah.”
She argued, however, that after nearly eight years in office, Dr. Bawumia and the NPP have failed to deliver on their economic promises and have instead driven the nation deeper into debt, inflation, and financial instability.
“Now, when Nana Akufo-Addo brought Dr Bawumia from the Bank of Ghana, we were told his job description was that he should come and build a robust economy and stabilize the Ghanaian cedi. That was the job description.
“We were not told that he would come and be the issuer of Ghana Cards or a comedian and a dancer; he has played with all aspects of it. To the extent that he admitted that oh, on this matter, I was joking. On this matter, I was just joking. Is the office of the vice president and for that matter, the presidency for jokes?”
Naa Atswei Nee-Okpey, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team
Mahama’s Five Questions: A Critique of Dr. Bawumia’s Policies
Nee-Okpey echoed former President John Dramani Mahama’s recent “five questions” to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on the economy, emphasizing each point as evidence of economic mismanagement.
She began by spotlighting the cedi’s persistent depreciation against the U.S. dollar, a situation, she noted Dr. Bawumia once described as a symptom of “weak economic fundamentals.”
Dr. Bawumia famously told us that ‘when the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you, Today, he argues that this is ‘warped logic.’ But was it ‘warped’ when he claimed it while seeking power? Under his leadership, the cedi has spiralled from GHS4.20 to nearly GHS17 to the dollar, a state that he now asks us to celebrate. Yet it is Ghanaians who continue to suffer as a result.”
Naa Atswei Nee-Okpey, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team
Burgeoning Public Debt and Ghanaians’ Rising Debt Burden
Turning to the country’s public debt, Nee-Okpey lamented the current debt levels, which she attributed to “reckless expenditure” and “over-borrowing” by the NPP administration.
“Each Ghanaian today is saddled with over GHS24,000 in debt, simply due to the NPP’s mismanagement and excessive borrowing,” she charged, warning that the debt burden on citizens could reach unprecedented levels should the NPP remain in power.
Nee-Okpey contrasted this with former President Mahama’s era when Ghana’s total debt stood at approximately GHS120 billion, asserting that “Today, the debt has skyrocketed to over GHS763 billion, adding that this isn’t just a number but a testament to the recklessness and mismanagement that has become a hallmark of the current administration.
Inflation and Its Crushing Impact on Living Standards
Nee-Okpey also cited inflation as a prime example of the NPP’s apparent economic failures, noting that inflation reached 54% in 2022, a peak under Dr. Bawumia’s leadership.
“He used to lecture Ghanaians about single-digit inflation under Mahama, yet today he is struggling to keep inflation in check. Ghanaians are now feeling the effects as wages stagnate while the cost of living skyrockets,” she explained. According to Nee-Okpey, this inflationary pressure has eroded purchasing power, leaving many Ghanaians impoverished and desperate.
She pointed out that even salary increases have had little effect as the rising cost of goods and services has outpaced wage growth. “Ghanaians are poorer today because of the NPP’s recklessness, despite all of Dr Bawumia’s supposed expertise,” she added.
Apology Needed for Economic Mismanagement
Additionally, Nee-Okpey argued that NPP communicators should be showing remorse rather than touting economic achievements that are, in her view, hollow.
She noted that even the current Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam had recently apologized for the government’s economic missteps at a town hall meeting, a sentiment she believes should be echoed by Dr. Bawumia and other leaders of the EMT.
“If the finance minister can admit to our failings, why can’t Dr Bawumia and NPP Communicators do the same ?” she questioned, urging him to accept responsibility and issue a public apology to Ghanaians for the government’s “failures.”
Over-Borrowing and Exclusion from International Financial Markets
Finally, Nee-Okpey highlighted Ghana’s exclusion from the international financial market, a result she attributes to the NPP’s relentless borrowing and economic policies.
She recalled Dr. Bawumia’s own words in opposition to borrowing when he and President Akufo-Addo came into power. “They claimed Ghana had sufficient resources to thrive without loans, yet they’ve borrowed to the point where we’ve been shut out of international financial markets,” she said, calling this a “clear indication of economic mismanagement.”
Nee-Okpey concluded by challenging the NPP’s flagbearer and communicators to show remorse and responsibility for the hardships Ghanaians are facing.
“The ordinary Ghanaian has many questions for Dr. Bawumia. The hardships they face are not due to abstract numbers or theories—they are the direct result of policies made under his watch. The NPP must come forward, admit their failures, and allow Ghanaians to judge their economic stewardship.”
Naa Atswei Nee-Okpey, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team
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