The Deputy Spokesperson for the NDC Running Mate’s Campaign Team for the 2024 general elections, Eric Adjei has criticized the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, accusing him of mismanagement of the country’s economy drawing parallels between the economic situation in Kenya and Ghana.
Mr Adjei, in a scathing critique, highlighted striking similarities between the Kenyan scenario and the political landscape in Ghana.
He pointed out that Ghana’s Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is currently distancing himself from unpopular tax policies introduced by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
These policies, he noted include the E-levy, Emission levy, and VAT on electricity, which have been sources of public dissatisfaction.
“In Ghana, we are experiencing similar issues with a sitting vice president who is also distancing himself from all the bad tax policies introduced by the New Patriotic Party government @MBawumia, while at the same time taking credit for gains in the government”.
Eric Adjei, Dep. Spokesperson, NDC Running mate’s Campaign Team
According to him, the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, who doubles as the Vice President and Chairman of the current government’s Economic Management Team in a bid to garner support for his presidential campaign, has promised to scrap these taxes if elected, despite having been a part of the cabinet that implemented them.
Mr Adjei vehemently criticized this approach, likening it to President Ruto’s strategy in Kenya and warning that such tactics may not hold up under public scrutiny.
The Kenyan Crisis
He noted that the recent political climate in Kenya has been fraught with tension and unrest, primarily fueled by controversial tax policies that many citizens deem burdensome and unnecessary.
Mr Adjei further recounted that President William Ruto, who previously served as Vice President under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, now faces widespread discontent among teeming citizens of Kenya.
According to him, despite President Ruto distancing himself from economic mismanagement during former Kenya President, Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, President Ruto’s recent tax policies have sparked significant public outcry.
The situation according to him escalated when protesters, frustrated by severe economic hardships, stormed the Kenyan parliament, prompting the president to suspend the controversial tax bill.
Following what Mr Adjei described as the widest condemnation of brutalities meted out to the protest, President Ruto’s response has been to blame the Inspector General of Police for failing to control the masses.
Reflections in Ghana
The Deputy Spokesperson for the NDC Running Mate’s Campaign Team for the 2024 general elections, while lamenting over the country’s economic woes, further bemoaned the perceived complacency among the Ghanaian youth.
He argued that the New Patriotic Party’s ability to continue making promises stems from a lack of sufficient outrage among the younger population.
Drawing on the Kenyan example, the Deputy Spokesperson for the NDC Running Mate’s Campaign Team for the 2024 general elections suggested that if Ghanaians, particularly the youth, do not demand accountability and transparency, they risk falling for “packaged” political promises that may not translate into genuine change.
In light of these observations, Mr Eric Adjei underscored the critical need for all Ghanaians, particularly the teeming youth to remain vigilant and discerning as they navigate the political promises of the election year.
He emphasized that the future stability and prosperity of the country may well depend on the lessons learned from Kenya’s ongoing struggle with economic and political accountability.
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