The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President John Dramani Mahama has strongly criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for its apparent failures in economic management.

The National Democratic Congress 2024 Presidential Candidate, speaking at a campaign rally in Juaboso, as part of his campaign tour of the Western North Region, underscored the stark realities of the cost of living crisis in the country and appealed to voters’ sense of accountability ahead of the December elections.

The former President painted a vivid picture of the economic hardship through the rising cost of staple foods, particularly kenkey—a cornerstone of Ghanaian diets.

“The prices of kenkey have skyrocketed, and people are unable to afford a ball of kenkey. People have to buy more than one to be satisfied. When the NDC was in power, a ball of Kenkey was sold at GHS1, now it’s GHS5. Someone even mentioned that they have started selling GHS10 Kenkey.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama, National Democratic Congress 2024 Presidential Candidate

This situation according to the former President affects many Ghanaians; rich and poor, highlighting the broader inflationary pressures that have strained household budgets nationwide.

NPP’s Broken Promises Amid Financial Mismanagement

The National Democratic Congress flagbearer and leader did not stop at food prices. He further lambasted the ruling New Patriotic Party administration for what he described as broken promises and financial mismanagement, which, according to him, have led the country into deep economic distress.

“They told us we were sitting on money,” Mahama said, alluding to pre-election promises made by the current administration that positioned themselves as capable stewards of Ghana’s wealth.

He called on Ghanaians to reflect on their daily struggles when casting their votes in the upcoming general election, urging them to remember the toll that mismanagement has taken on their livelihoods.

Former President Mahama’s pointed critique is not without context. In recent times, reports from both international and local bodies including the World Bank and the Ghana Statistics have highlighted a surge in unemployment, widespread poverty, and deteriorating living conditions as key concerns for the average Ghanaian.

The Ghana Statistical Service and the World Bank specifically have documented rising inflation rates, food price hikes, and the plummeting purchasing power of citizens, painting a picture of an economy grappling with severe structural and fiscal challenges.

NDC’s Vision of Hope and Transformation

Against this backdrop, former President John Dramani Mahama offered a vision of hope through the NDC’s proposed policy framework, which he believes can reverse the course of the country’s fortunes.

Central to his campaign is the implementation of a 24-hour economy policy aimed at revitalizing key economic sectors, boosting productivity, and creating much-needed employment opportunities.

The plan envisions a shift to a three-tier work system that would engage government support, leverage private sector capabilities, and incorporate favorable tax incentives to catalyze growth.

“This is not just about returning to normalcy but moving beyond it to transform Ghana into a self-sufficient and export-led economy,” former President Mahama outlined, pointing to the potential for increased industrial output, expanded market opportunities, and improved living standards.

The policy, he argued, would address both immediate concerns and lay the groundwork for sustainable development, making the economy more resilient to global shocks.

His remarks sought to galvanize public discontent with the NPP’s economic track record and position the NDC as the party with the blueprint for recovery and growth.