Franklin Cudjoe, the President of IMANI Africa, has called out Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the inaccurate claim that the NPP government has expanded the economy more effectively than the NDC and benefited the average Ghanaian in per capita terms.
Cudjoe emphasized that Ghana’s GDP stands at just about one trillion, which translates to approximately $63 billion in dollar terms.
He further clarified that this figure does not reflect the level of growth Bawumia suggested, particularly in relation to the average citizen’s well-being.
“In per capita terms, that is about $1840 which is lower than in 2013 under the NDC. So, effectively, from the point of view of the ordinary citizen, the economy has indeed shrunk under the NPP.
“Akufo-Addo, the worst president in Ghana’s history just confirmed again that he believed in the economic management prowess of Bawumia”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Accordingly, Franklin Cudjoe stated that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and President Akufo-Addo should be recognized as the architects of Ghana’s economic decline, as they have overseen a drastic deterioration in the country’s economic standing.
He pointed out that after eight years of their leadership, the economy has gone from a B-rating under John Dramani Mahama to a junk rating.
Cudjoe stressed that this significant downgrade in Ghana’s economic status under their tenure should not be overlooked, as it reflects a pattern of poor economic management.
He emphasized that John Mahama’s commitment to running the leanest government in Ghana’s history and his determination to recover looted funds is a noteworthy and commendable approach.
However, he expressed concern that, in contrast, he has yet to hear any concrete plans or statements from Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia regarding how he intends to address the numerous ongoing corruption cases.
This lack of response, he pointed out, raises questions about the current leadership’s approach to tackling corruption and promoting accountability in governance. “He wants to continue the Cathedral”.
Cudjoe Pledges Fair Criticism for Mahama
Furthermore, Franklin Cudjoe stated that while Mahama has received his fair share of sharp criticisms in the past, he will still be subjected to strong but fair critiques if he returns to power.
Cudjoe explained that for now, he is simply reflecting on the many grand economic statements Dr. Bawumia made during his lengthy lectures during the 2016 elections.
According to Cudjoe, those statements were so abundant they could fill both “the Quran and the Bible”—and they were once true.
However, Cudjoe pointed out that after Bawumia played a key role in the economic policies that led to the nation’s economic collapse, marked by a downgrade to junk status, excessive borrowing, and crippling debt, those once-credible lectures have failed to materialize in any meaningful change or progress.
“You all know by now [that], l don’t engage in personal attacks or impugn people’s integrity. I focus on using sound evidence to make my arguments.
“The two leading candidates in this election are my friends. They both know l will smile with them but will still say what I should say about their acts or omissions. It is the only value I have and bring to the table depending on which one of them is in focus”.
Franklin Cudjoe
He criticized that Dr. Bawumia, once a prominent voice in intellectual discourse, has now abandoned those valuable contributions.
Cudjoe noted that instead, the Vice President is now seemingly content with finding solace in everyday apps that teenagers around the world are developing, all without the usual fanfare or recognition.
This shift, according to him, marks a stark contrast to the profound economic discussions Bawumia once led. “He’s buried his head in the sand”.
Taking a jab at Dr. Bawumia’s unsuccessful e-gate launch, Cudjoe remarked that launching an electronic gate at a major airport was a misguided move. “Anyways, may what Ghana deserves truly win”
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