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Tag: Former President John Dramani Mahama

  • President Mahama to convert some schools into sports school

    President Mahama to convert some schools into sports school

    President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to designate selected schools for training budding sports talents.

    He made this announcement on July 30 during a meeting at the Jubilee House with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Black Queens, who had just returned from winning bronze at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

    President Mahama disclosed that his administration would oversee the scouting of talented students, bring them together in designated schools, and provide them with the necessary infrastructure.

    He hinted at their potential to be trained well enough to represent the senior national teams in the future.

    “We are also going to equip some of the schools around the country as sports schools. We will give them all the infrastructure they need. [We will] assemble the best talents from the schools so that they can train and study at the same time and build their talents to join the senior team,” he said.

    The initiative is expected to create a clear pathway for young athletes to balance academic pursuits with elite sports training.

    President Mahama’s meeting with the Black Queens came after Ghana’s Black Queens ended the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in third, clinching a bronze medal for the first time since 2016.

    They made a courtesy visit to the president to present their medals and thank him for the government’s support during the tournament.

    They were warmly received by the president and the Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who praised them for their resilience and stunning performance during the tournament.

    President Mahama commended them for their efforts in securing the bronze medals, acknowledging the difficulty in clashing with a team in their home.

    He said, but for the penalties, the Queens would have been the reigning champions by now.

    “It was just unfortunate that you came up against the host nation at a very critical time. Playing against a home team is never easy, but you held them throughout.”

    “It was only the penalties that let us down. So, all is not lost. Your best days are still ahead of you.”

    He told them to go for gold. “I’m an optimist. I know I’ll see you here before I leave office as President with a gold medal.”

    The president also revealed that his outfit will give priority to athletes during security service recruitment.

    “I have asked the Minister of Interior to give priority to athletes when recruiting the security services.”

    He emphasised that athletes deserve structured opportunities to combine their sporting careers with professional roles and called for the revival of the Security Services Sports Association (SESSA) games to help scout talent.

    “We must reintroduce the Security Services Sports Association (SESSA) games and let the security services compete amongst themselves, and then Kurt (GFA President) and co will be standing there, watching and picking the talents and forming the national teams.”

    The Security Services Sports Association Games are inter-agency sporting competitions among Ghana’s national security services. It was established in 1987 to promote fitness, discipline, and camaraderie among personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

    Somewhere in 2014, the sporting competition was suspended, reportedly due to a lack of coordination, funding, and institutional support for the Games.

    However, in October last year, the Games were relaunched in October 2024 at the University of Ghana Sports Directorate.

    They serve as a talent discovery platform, helping identify athletes who can represent Ghana at national and international levels.

    Referring to the School Feeding Programme, the president made another pledge to the Queens that they are planning to set up a fund earmarked for sports, only stressing the need for consistent investment in sports infrastructure, logistics, and athlete welfare.

    “We are thinking about a dedicated source for funding sports.”

    This is good news for the Black Queens, as over the years, there have been instances where these athletes have complained about unpaid bonuses and other financial commitments.Over the years, sports development in Ghana has been hampered by inconsistent funding, poor infrastructure maintenance, and delayed payments of bonuses and allowances.

    Black Queens and their WAFCON journey

    Although the Black Queens didn’t have a very encouraging start on July 7 in their 2024 WAFCON campaign, after a 0-2 loss to South Africa, they regained some ground on July 11 by drawing 1–1 with Mali.

    They made a resounding comeback on July 14 with a convincing 4–1 win over Tanzania, securing second place in the group and a spot in the quarterfinals. The victory capped off the group stage on a strong note.

    On July 19, they faced Algeria in a tightly contested quarterfinal that ended 0–0 in regulation time. The Queens held their nerve in the penalty shootout, winning 4–2 to advance to the semifinals.

    Their semifinal clash with tournament hosts Morocco took place on July 22. After an intense 1–1 draw in extra time, Ghana unfortunately fell short in the shootout, losing 4–2, which placed them in the third-place playoff.

    In a dramatic rematch against South Africa on July 25, Ghana again drew 1–1 in regulation time but triumphed 4–3 on penalties, clinching the bronze medal, their first since 2016. It was a tournament full of grit, redemption, and historic pride.

    The recent attention the Black Queens have gained following their thrilling performance at WAFCON shows signs of visibility and public engagement. Over the years, Women’s football have received less than 10% of total football reporting in Ghana.

    Meanwhile, Ghana’s Black Stars has once again fallen about six places in latest FIFA rankings.

    The team last year fell six places following their loss to Angola and a 1-1 draw with Niger during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in September during the international break.

    In the recent ranking, Ghana sits 76th in the FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday, July 10.

    This leaves the former Africa giant out of the top 10 national teams as they continue the push to rejoin the continent’s elite.

    According to the latest ranking, Argentina still holds its spot as number one, followed by Spain, France, and then England, with Brazil taking the fifth spot.

    In Africa, Morocco sits on top with it’s 12th position on the global level with 1,698.72 points. Senegal have also moved a spot up from its 19th position last year. Egypt dropped to 34 on the global scale but remains 3rd in Africa despite its slight dip from the 32nd position, which was caused by a quiet international window with no matches played since March.

    Meanwhile, other teams gained points through qualifiers and friendlies, allowing them to climb higher in the rankings.

    Algeria (36th), Nigeria (44th) and Ivory Coast (45th) follow closely, despite the latter’s recent AFCON success.

  • Small-scale miners have endured enough government mishandling of the sector – Mahama

    Small-scale miners have endured enough government mishandling of the sector – Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has launched a scathing critique against the Akufo-Addo administration, accusing them of mishandling Ghana’s mining sector.

    Speaking at the ‘3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining,’ Mahama highlighted the plight of small-scale miners, citing equipment confiscations and tragic loss of lives.

    Mahama unveiled a detailed plan to rejuvenate the sector, starting with the establishment of district mining offices in key mining areas. These offices, staffed with personnel from various agencies, aim to streamline licensing procedures and enhance transparency.

    Additionally, Mahama proposed amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act, granting these offices the authority to issue licenses, thereby decentralizing the system and fostering job creation.


    “To support these efforts, we plan to amend the Minerals and Mining Act to grant district mining offices a legal mandate to issue mining licenses. This would decentralize the licensing regime and increase the number of regulated small-scale mining companies and youth employment, particularly under the 24-hour economy policy,” he said.

    “As part of our broader economic transformation model and a burning commitment to creating more sustainable and decent jobs for the Ghanaian youth, my administration intends to ensure the active involvement of mining engineers and graduates from the University of Mines and Technology and the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, in the small-scale mining sector, creating opportunities for them. These professionals will be attached to the newly created district mining offices and small-scale operators to provide guidance and support.”

    To harness expertise and promote sustainable practices, Mahama pledged to involve mining professionals from universities in sector operations. This initiative aligns with his vision of generating more opportunities for Ghanaian youth while advocating for responsible mining techniques.

    Addressing environmental concerns, Mahama pledged to safeguard cocoa farms and forests from mining activities, with strict bans on mining in water bodies. He also stressed the inclusion of traditional leaders in the licensing process, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders.

    “One of the impacts of illegal mining, including galamsey, has been the destruction of forests and cocoa farms. We will protect the destruction of cocoa farms for mining and effectively ban the issuance of entry permits into forests. Mining in water bodies will be outrightly prohibited. Recognising the invaluable role of traditional leaders in our society and as a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and respect for all stakeholders, I intend to have traditional leaders included in the crucial process of granting mining licenses in their communities.

    “Therefore, we must strengthen regulatory institutions such as the Minerals Commission, the EPA, the Geological Survey Authority, and the Natural Resources Universities to further this.

    “This will involve laws, policies, regulatory enforcement, and education. Miners must be aware of the regulations and their reasons. They must be partners in this transforma>on and not adversaries.

    “It is also my vision to reform the mining sector structurally. Ghana’s small-scale mining sector is perhaps the only economic sector with only two categories—small and large. Some mines within the small-scale category have grown beyond ‘small’ but are not large enough to qualify as large-scale. My government will structurally reform the entire mining sector through a comprehensive re-categorisation into Small-scale (SSM), Medium-scale (MSM), and Large-scale (LSM), each with specifically tailored operational, environmental, and safety requirements,” he said.

    Mahama criticized the current aggressive anti-illegal mining tactics as unsustainable and potentially exploitative by certain political entities. He proposed a structural overhaul of the mining sector, advocating for categorization into Small-scale, Medium-scale, and Large-scale operations, each with customized regulations for operational, environmental, and safety standards.

    Mahama’s proposals signal a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing longstanding challenges within Ghana’s mining sector, with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and responsible governance.

  • Former President Kufuor is hale and hearty – Reports

    Former President Kufuor is hale and hearty – Reports

    Former President John Agyekum Kufuor is not dead as speculated on social media, reports indicate.

    According to a Graphic Online report, the former President is healthy and going about his normal activities.

    It follows stories gaining currency on social media that the former President has passed on.

    Late last week and throughout the weekend, there were discussions in some circles around the passing of the former President and on Monday and Tuesday, the conversations continued.

    However, checks by Graphic Online indicate that the former President is healthy and doing well.

    Reports on social media suggested that the 84-year-old former President had passed on

    But the public has been urged to disregard the rumour and falsehood.

  • Mahama launches fundraising platform today

    Mahama launches fundraising platform today

    Former President John Dramani Mahama will launch a fundraising platform today, March 22, 2023, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA). 

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential hopeful will also hold a public lecture on political party financing in Ghana. 

    The event is expected to be attended by party stalwarts and bigwigs such as Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and General Secretary Fifi Kwetey.

    It is believed that the funds raised through the platform will be used to support Mahama’s campaign as well as aid other party activities, just as he did in previous years. In January 2020, the former president launched a similar fundraising platform to support his candidacy for the general elections.

    As part of his preparations for the NDC primaries scheduled for May, Mahama’s campaign team, led by a leading member of the NDC, Prof Joshua Alabi, filed his nominations for the flagbearership position at the party’s headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The team submitted the required documents and fees to contest the position.

    Speaking after the submission of the nomination forms, Prof Alabi gave a strong indication to the Electoral Commission that they would not tolerate any compromise that could be disadvantageous to their candidate ahead of the 2024 general election.

    Mr Mahama will face competition from former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, businessman Ernest Kwaku Krobea, and former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffour in his quest to run on the NDC ticket in 2024.

  • The Government is forcing all its Sacrifices upon Ghanaians – John Mahama

    Former president John Dramani Mahama claims that despite severe economic hardships, the government led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is unwilling to make compromises. He claims that all sacrifices made in response to Ghana’s current economic difficulties are being placed on the shoulders of the populace.

    John Mahama criticized President Akufo Addo in a speech at the 13th Congregation of the Accra Business School for not reducing the size of the government in order to save operating costs.

    Though government has announced some austerity measures including cut back in salaries of appointees by 30%, limited use of V8 vehicles and cut back on fuel coupons, cut back on FX support for the importation of some items amongst other measures, the 2020 National Democratic Congress flagbearer noted that such measures are insignificant in addressing the challenges facing the economy.

    “Expenditure has increased significantly by almost 80 billion cedis. There is no significant expenditure cut that mirror the gravity of the situation we have found ourselves in. It appears that we are set to live with the excessively bloated government especially in the Presidency.

    “One would have thought that the size of government will be reduced to cut down expenditure. This administration is not willing to make any sacrifices, all the sacrifices are to be borne by the Ghanaian people,” he said.

    He stated further that the 2023 budget is riddled with more frivolous expenditure that could have been avoided to save resources for more productive adventures.

    Parliament on November 24 approved the 2023 budget despite opposition from the minority group.

    The budget contains a debt exchange programme and increased VAT which have been described by Mr Mahama as sacrifices being slapped on the citizenry.

     

  • ‘Your legacy lives on’ – Mahama remembers Rawlings 2 years on

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has eulogized his former boss, the late Jerry John Rawlings as he commemorates two years of Mr Rawlings’ passing.

    Mr Rawlings died two years ago on November 12.

    In a Facebook post, Mr Mahama recalled “It is 2 years already since the passing of President Jerry John Rawlings, fondly called JJ.

    “He steered our nation for 19 years, during which time he laid a solid foundation for our 4th Republic.”

    “In these stormy times of economic uncertainty, he is remembered for his astute leadership in similar circumstances in the past. His legacy lives on and continues to shape the moral compass of many,” he added.

    He was a former military leader, who subsequently became a civilian politician and led the country from 1981 to 2001 and also for a brief period in 1979.

    He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as the democratically-elected President of Ghana.

    Rawlings initially came to power as a flight lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force following a coup d’etat in 1979.

    Prior to that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the ruling military government on 15 May 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due to take place.

    After initially handing over power to a civilian government, he took back control of the country on 31 December 1981, as the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

    In 1992, Mr Rawlings resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first President of the Fourth Republic.

    He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years.

    After two terms in office, Mr Rawlings stepped aside and endorsed his vice-president, the late John Atta Evans Atta Mills, as a presidential candidate in 2000.

    Source: Ghanaweb 

  • Akufo-Addo is Ghana’s biggest problem not Ken Ofori Atta – Sammy Gyamfi

    The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is asking suffering Ghanaians to blame the myriad of economic hardships on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and not the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta.

    The National Communications Officer of NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, reminded Ghanaians to lay the blame on the president and not his debilitating finance minister while reacting to calls for the removal of the minister.

    He spoke on Accra 100.5 FM’s mid-day news on Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

    He explained that the finance minister is not the appropriate person to blame for the current economic hardships Ghanaians are experiencing under the watch of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) administration.

    “The financé minister could not have taken many of the decisions in running the country’s economy without the approval of the president,” he said.

    He was categorical to say that Ghana’s major problem is the president.

    He argued strongly that it is the president that had a social contract with the people of Ghana and not the finance minister.

    “It is the president who has breached the social contract he had with Ghanaians and not the finance minister,” he said.

    He was elated noting that all the president had erroneously said about the persona of former president John Dramani Mahama have turned out to play against him in government.

    “In 2016 at the time inflation was high during the NDC’s administration as compared to what is pertaining under the watch of the current president was low.

    “He then had the guts to ask the then-president to resign.

    “So, he should also do the honourable thing by resigning,” Mr Gyamfi stressed.

    He noted that the president is in control but not in charge because he is blinded by greed and selfish interest.

    The country is at a crossroads because of the failure of the president to assert his authority, he again said.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • FLASHBACK: Ofori-Atta has been cooking the books – Mahama alleges, dares him to sue

    Former President John Dramani Mahamastated that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta should be blamed for the woes of the economy.

    He said, “The Finance Minister, I repeat, has been cooking the books. I have said this several times; if he is so minded, he should sue me. He has been cooking the books.

    “He doesn’t give the right picture of the economy. Liabilities like the Energy Sector debt and Banking Sector clean up, he doesn’t add to the deficit; he puts it as a footnote.

    “So when he says our deficit is 6%, it is because he has hidden the huge liability items and he’s done that for a long time so he gets (favourable) Fitch and Moody’s rating so it looks like the economy is doing well.”

    • Ghana’s true budget deficit is unknown

    • This is as a result of schemes by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta

    • That Ofori-Atta is cooking figures is an allegation by John Mahama

     

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that Ghana’s economy is in tatters and things continue to fall apart because of gross mismanagement on the part of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government.

    Speaking on Accra-based Power FM / TV XYZ at the start of his Greater Accra Regional ‘Thank You Tour,’ he alleged that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was not being truthful with Ghanaians about the true state of the economy.

    “The Finance Minister, I repeat, has been cooking the books. I have said this several times, if he is so minded, he should sue me. He has been cooking the books.

    “He doesn’t give the right picture of the economy. Liabilities like the Energy Sector debt and Banking Sector clean up, he doesn’t add to the deficit, he puts it as a footnote.

    “So when he says our deficit is 6%, it is because he has hidden the huge liability items and he’s done that for a long time so he gets (favourable) Fitch and Moody’s rating so it looks like the economy is doing well,” he added.

    According to him, the government was exposed when Vice president Bawumia once claimed that the economy could withstand six months in case of a big shock.

    Mahama said just two weeks after COVID-19 struck, it took assistance from the World Bank and IMF for the economy to be salvaged. He said the six-month buffer was a bluff because, within 2 weeks, the economy was in the Intensive Care Unit.

    He also jabbed the government for growing Ghana’s national debt from 120 billion dollars to 375 billion within a space of four and half years, he is even more worried that the debts are largely for consumption and that there was no major infrastructure to back the wanton borrowing.

  • Ghana’s economy moving from crisis to crisis – John Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has observed that Ghana’s economy has lurched from crisis to crisis.

    In a Facebook post, the former President said the crisis has ultimately resulted in the most debilitating living conditions in several decades.

    He added that within a space of ten months, our currency, the Ghana Cedi, has depreciated by over 62% against the US dollar.

    “In the last few years, our economy has lurched from crisis to crisis, ultimately resulting in the most debilitating living conditions in several decades. Within a space of ten months, our currency, the Ghana Cedi, has depreciated by over 62% against the US dollar, which is the highest in recent memory,” Mahama posted on Facebook today 4th November 2022.

    This statement comes after the Former President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday, October 27, 2022, addressed the nation.

    Speaking at the UPSA Auditorium, Mahama touched on the current economic hardships sweeping across the land, high inflation rates and the depreciation of the cedi.

    Mr. Mahama urged government to cut down on expenditure by reducing the number of appointees and ministers.

    Read Also: 3 teacher unions declare strike over new GES Director

    He also advised government to abolish or realign state institutions with similar functions while suspending non-essential projects.

    The 2020 flagbearer of the NDC also backed calls for the dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta from office; adding that his removal will not affect the ongoing negotiations between Ghana and the IMF.

    “Our public debt is projected to hover around GH¢ 522 billion by close of this year, with a corresponding debt to GDP ratio of above100%. The debt service obligation arising from this, is monstrous and, is making it impossible to finance almost all critical sectors of the economy.”

    “The wage bill has gone up due to unbridled recruitment into all sectors of the public service resulting from a poor capacity of the private sector to mop-up the teeming youth graduating from all levels of our educational system.”

    “Worse still, Ghana has been classified as the country with the highest likelihood of debt default, which reflects the multiple downgrades by the international credit agencies. As it stands, we remain firmly shut out of the international bond market,” excerpts of Mahama’s speech said.

    Source: Ghanaweb

     

  • Mahama laments constant hikes in prices of everyday items

    Former president John Dramani Mahama has spoken about the recent economic situation solidarizing with he citizenry and with small businesses.

    In a Facebook post dated November 5, 2022, Mahama observed that it was particularly worrying that price of items were going up by the hour in some cases.

    “Prices of items including everyday medication, salt, gari and cooking oil, are constantly on the rise. If you do not buy an item at a particular point in time, you are likely to find that the price has significantly increased a few hours later.

    “Small entrepreneurs are frustrated as they break their backs to keep their businesses open against great odds. This is not just an installment in cyclical hardships, and we should not pretend that it is,” his post read.

    High inflation and a depreciating cedi are two of the most visible signs of a distressed economy.

    Mahama has through social media posts and public lectures called on government to take responsibility and reverse the tide in some cases proffering possible solutions.

    What Akufo-Addo said about Ghana being in a crisis

    Akufo-Addo in his October 30 address on the economy blamed the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as causes for the country’s economic woes.

    While admitting that the country was in crisis and rallying support for various government interventions to stem the tide, he said the situation was not peculiar to the country as many nations across the world were also experiencing difficulties.

    “We are in a crisis, I do not exaggerate when I say so. I cannot find an example in history when so many malevolent forces have come together at the same time.

    “But, as we have shown in other circumstances, we shall turn this crisis into an opportunity to resolve not just the short-term, urgent problems, but the long-term structural problems that have bedeviled our economy,” he said.

    But like before, President Akufo-Addo blamed the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as causative factors for the economic woes.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Price of salt and gari increasing every day – Mahama expresses worry

    Former president John Dramani Mahama has expressed worry over the high inflation rate that has witnessed the price of basic food items increase each passing day.

    Mr Mahama has once again called on the Akufo-Addo government to work around the clock and find a lasting solution to the economic crisis. In his public lecture ‘Building The Ghana We Want’ delivered on October 27, the 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress outlined some measures that can help save the situation.

    In a tweet dated November 5, Mr Mahama lamented the current price of salt and gari which has now become expensive to the ordinary Ghanaian under the NPP administration.

    “Prices of items including everyday medication, salt, gari and cooking oil, are constantly on the rise. If you do not buy an item at a particular point in time, you are likely to find that the price has significantly increased a few hours later,” read Mahama’s tweet sighted by GhanaWeb.

    Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has asked to have faith in his government to turn around the woes of the state.

    On Sunday, October 30, the president referenced how the New Patriotic Party managed to properly handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana at a time when developed nations were struggling to contain it and assured that they will restore the economy.

    “When I said, at the height of the COVID pandemic, that we knew what to do to bring the economy back to life, but not how to bring people back to life, it was not said in jest.”

    “We had done it before, and we were on course to doing it again. Ghana’s economy grew by a remarkable 5.4% in 2021, signifying a strong recovery from the 0.5% growth recorded the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Akufo-Addo.

  • NPP MP strangely reads coup meanings into Mahama’s plea to military

    Habid Iddrisu, a member of parliament from the New Patriotic Party representing the Tolon Constituency, has accused former president John Dramani Mahama of trying to instill the notion of overthrowing the government in the minds of the Ghana Armed Forces.

    When he repeated a request from President Akufo-Addo that the Armed Forces should uphold the constitution despite the current economic suffering in the nation, the MP who also serves as the deputy majority chief whip in parliament said that Mr. Mahama rather intended to fuel the idea of a coup d’etat.

    “Mr sister talked about a call made by President John Mahama that the military should remain in the barracks. That is a very dangerous call to be made by a former president,” he stated.

    Appearing as a guest on the Saturday, October 29, 2022, edition of Joynewsfile, Mr Iddrisu argued that while President Akufo-Addo in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the armed forces was justified in making the call, the same cannot be said for the former president.

    “I am talking about John Mahama’s own. President (Akufo-Addo) is the commander in chief; if I am the commander in chief he is more or less giving you an instruction. So if you are not a commander in chief and you are also saying something you are triggering something else,” he said.

    “I say so because you are triggering and planting other thinking in people’s minds. That stay in the barracks in the times that we are in, you are planting the notion of coup in them,” he added.

    President Akufo-Addo in a recent engagement with some high-ranking military officials urged the Armed Forces to remain loyal to the 1992 Constitution as his government works around the clock to fix current economic hardship.

    “I want to encourage you to continue the good work that you’re doing for our country. I encourage you to stand firm in your loyalty to the Republic, your loyalty to the Constitution of our nation so that the orderly, peaceful development of our country which is the only way that can guarantee the future prosperity we are all working for can come about…. So that these [present] generations of Ghanaians will leave as our legacy, that even when things were difficult in Ghana, we all held together under our Republican institutions and our constitution to find a way to a better future for our nation. I am confident that we can do it and I am counting on you to help me do it,” the president said during the meeting with the officials at the Idris Barracks in the Ashanti Region.

    In the same vein, former President Mahama while delivering an address on the state of the economy last week, reiterated President Akufo-Addo’s call.

    Addressing a public lecture themed, ‘Building the Ghana We Want,’ on October 27, 2022, in Accra, Mahama admonished especially the Armed Forces and other security services against unconstitutional takeovers.

    “… let me state that I agree with the President and wish to add my voice to his call on our Armed Forces and security services to remain loyal to the State and the Constitution.

    “The current economic circumstances though dire, do not give [an] excuse for any acts that are unconstitutional. Working together as one people and using the levers of the constitution, we can turn this situation around,” he submitted to loud applause from the audience at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, UPSA; auditorium.

    As part of his presentation, the 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, outlined a number of short, medium and long-term solutions to the current economic crisis that the government was grappling with.

     

  • Akufo-Addo to speak on Ghana’s economy tonight

    This evening, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will address the country on the economy in light of the current difficulties.

    The speech follows a three-day emergency Cabinet meeting in the Eastern Region at the Peduase Lodge that focused on a number of pressing concerns, including the depreciation of the cedi, the status of discussions for an IMF program, and the soaring costs of food and other necessities.

    The government has taken steps to help Ghanaians who are suffering from extreme economic challenges, and the president is scheduled to reveal these.

    President Akufo-Addo in his recent commentary on the economy has admitted that ‘times are tough’ and that the government will be exploring ways and means to bring relief to Ghanaians.

    Ahead of the president’s address, Information Minister and Member of Parliament for Offoase Ayirebi, Kojo Opong-Nkrumah has said that Akufo-Addo has taken key decisions aimed at rebooting the economy.

    “We’ve wrapped up a three day cabinet retreat during which President Akufo-Addo has settled on key decisions aimed at responding strongly to the impact of the global economic challenges on Ghana

    “This follows a week of interactions with various economic actors and inputs from the IMF negotiations so far. Tomorrow evening we start the exercise of rebooting as the Prez outlines measures. #ResolvingTogether,” Oppong-Nkrumah tweeted on Saturday, October 29, 2022.

    Former President John Dramani Mahama in his October 27 lecture titled ‘Building The Ghana We Want’ admonished President Akufo-Addo to among other interventions, cut down on expenses under the Office of the president, reduce the number of ministers below 65, merge some government agencies who have similar functions amid unfavorable economic conditions.

  • Mahama optimistic Ghana’s economy will rebound

    In an effort to aid the nation out of its current economic difficulties, former president John Dramani Mahama advises the government to reduce spending by lowering the number of appointees, disband or realign state entities with identical functions, and halt non-essential projects.

    He questioned the need for the Free SHS Secretariat given that the Ghana Education Service could carry out the policy just as well.

    Speaking at a gathering titled “Building the Nation We Want,” the former president urged the government to take more action to fight corruption.

    Mr. Mahama said the incompetence of the Finance Minister and the entire Akufo-Addo government has caused the depreciation of the Cedi and other economic challenges in the country.

    The former President said it is not acceptable for Mr. Ofori-Atta to continue to be in office supervising the 2023 budget and the completion of Ghana’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

    Mr. Mahama was optimistic that the economy will get better and urged Ghanaians to unite and consume locally produced foods as a way of supporting the economy.

  • NPP performs well in government; unfortunate to often be hit with external shocks – MP

    Former President John Dramani Mahama’s October 27 lecture has been criticized by Effutu Member of Parliament Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin as being opportunistic.

    He claimed that the former president was attempting to position himself as a potential option to be in charge of affairs, but he firmly asserted that “he is not an alternative.”

    In an interview with Citi TV in Accra, Afenyo-Markin said Mahama had a number of “lesser issues” than the NPP government was dealing with, but he was nonetheless “suffocated” by them.

    He stated that the NPP has a track record of being better managers of the economy however it was unfortunate to be hit by external shocks whenever it was in government.

    The Effutu MP said Mahama can continue making political statements to sway the minds of Ghanaians but suggested that the former president and the NDC have not prudently managed the economy when they had the opportunity to do so.

    “He is not making these calls in good faith. He is making these calls in an opportunistic context as though he is an alternative. But I want to underscore the point and make it clear that he is not an alternative.

    “My reason? He was there. When he faced challenges, how did he react to them? How did he respond to Ghanaians? Not in an escalating situation as we find ourselves today.

    “Perhaps maybe I will say that NPP, whenever we get the opportunity to come into government we do so well but often get external shocks hitting us hard,” Afenyo-Markin said.

    “He is making political statements. Let’s leave him to his political statements. We are in political competition. So anything to say to sway the minds of people would be what he will definitely attempt to do. But we must also face reality and let him and let his party know that they faced lesser challenges yet they were suffocated,” he added further.

    Former President John Dramani Mahama’s October 27 lecture titled “Building The Ghana We Want” highlighted the economic challenges confronting the country while proffering some solutions.

    He asked the government to reduce the size of its ministers as well as merge a number of government agencies amid tight economic conditions.

  • Asking Ofori-Atta to stay until IMF negotiation is done untenable – Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has argued that it is unsustainable for the Finance Minister to depart after concluding the budget and IMF negotiations, which is the ostensible compromise made by the majority in parliament.

    In response to President Akufo-Addo‘s request, the Majority Caucus in Parliament has agreed to let the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the Minister of State for the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu Boahen, continue in their positions until the conclusion of the IMF negotiations.

    Per the press statement released by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Minister of Finance will stay “until the conclusion of the round of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the presentation of the Budget Statement and Economic Policy in November, 2022 and the subsequent passage of the Appropriation Bill after which time the demand will be acted upon.”

    But the former leader maintained that the Minister’s removal will have no ramifications on the IMF negotiations and the preparation of the 2023 Budget.

    “Budget preparation and IMF negotiations are the result of teamwork, not the work of one individual. I fail to see how the absence of the Minister will affect the preparation of the budget or the negotiations with the
    Fund,” he said while speaking at a lecture on the economy on Thursday.

    He reiterated that the President must not only replace the finance minister, but also reconstitute and take control of the Economic Management Team himself.

  • Sack Ofori-Atta, Bawumia, they’re ‘responsible for this economic catastrophe’ – Mahama

    Former president John Dramani Mahama has identified two key individuals as being in charge of the nation’s present economic problems.

    He has since repeated his demands that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo remove Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta from their positions.

    While he is supporting increased calls for Ofori-dismissal, Atta’s he wants Bawumia to be removed from his position as chairman of the Economic Management Team.

    Speaking at a public lecture themed: “Building the Ghana We Want,’ in Accra on October 27, 2022, Mahama said it was sad that his previous calls for this action have not been heeded by Akufo-Addo.

    “I re-echoed demands by Ghanaians that the finance minister and the Chair of the Economic Management Team, who have been primarily responsible for this economic catastrophe, be relieved of their positions to breed confidence among stakeholders and offer the economy a new lease of life.

    “I asked that the President deploys some of the arsenals in the Presidential toolkit and reshuffle his government to inject innovation and freshness of thinking into the running of the country,” he stated.

    According to him, sacking Ofori-Atta and Bawumia and undertaking a reshuffle came with some benefits in easing the economic crunch.

    “I also asked that the President addresses the nation to inform the public of the specific steps he was intending to take to weather the pending economic storm.

    “This address was meant to calm the anxiety of the investor community and rally Ghanaians behind any such efforts. Regrettably, the President dug in and failed to do any of these,” he added.

    As part of his presentation, the 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, outlined a number of short, medium and long-term solutions to the current economic crisis that the government was grappling with.

    In a presentation before Mahama’s address, former deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato-Forson laid out how perilous the state of the economy was and the need for Ghanaians to tighten their belts for hard times ahead.

  • Mahama’s proposed solutions to Ghana’s economic woes

    Former president John Dramani Mahama has offered some suggestions for building a sustainable economy in Ghana.

    The 2020 NDC flagbearer claimed, during a discussion titled “Building The Ghana We Want,” held at the UPSA auditorium on Thursday, October 27, that Ghana’s economy had lurched from crisis to crisis, finally leading to the most miserable living conditions in several decades.

    He noted that the Ghana Cedi had experienced the greatest depreciation in recent memory—over 62%—against the US dollar in just ten months.

    Mahama noted Ghana’s public debt is projected to hover around GH¢522 billion by the close of this year, with a corresponding debt-to-GDP ratio of above 100%.

    He said, the debt service obligation arising from this is monstrous and, is making it impossible to finance almost all critical sectors of the economy.

    Ghana’s wage bill, the former President observed had shot up through what he described as unbridled recruitment into all sectors of the public service resulting from a poor capacity of the private sector to mop up the teeming youth graduating from all levels of our educational system.

    “Worse still, Ghana has been classified as the country with the highest likelihood of debt default, which reflects the multiple downgrades by the international credit agencies,” he stressed.

    In building that dream Ghana, former President John Dramani Mahama proposed that the managers of the economy under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo must among others:

    “a) Reducing the public debt, debt service obligations and creating fiscal space: The biggest problem with our economy today is the huge size of our public debt, estimated to be around GH¢ 522 billion by close of this year. This must immediately be tackled and stopped from growing further.

    b) Cutting cost, reducing waste, and spending wisely: One other major problem that has brought us to this point is the reckless and frivolous spending of our scarce national resources. A fundamental principle in economic management is fiscal discipline even in times of crisis. It is simply not possible to live beyond our means and avoid the kind of economic turmoil we are in today. Rampant over-expenditure has been reflected in the extraordinarily large budget deficits of the last two years, which is set to persist for a third straight year if urgent cost cutting measures are not taken.

    c) Stabilizing the currency, cutting the import bill and job creation: My brothers and sisters, the above remedies represent some of the short to medium-term proposals for government to mitigate the total collapse of the Ghanaian economy. There is, however, the need for broad, long-term economic, governance and structural reforms that will guarantee sustained socio-economic growth for our country and help us avoid some of the mistakes that have led us to this perilous point. Our governance structure and institutions are in urgent need of reforms to make them more responsive and in tune with the aspirations and hope of the Ghanaian people.

  • John Mahama to speak on Ghana’s ‘collapsed’ economy on Thursday

    Former President John Dramani Mahama will address the nation this evening (October 27) about issues related to the economic crisis the nation is now experiencing.

    The event is set to begin at 7 pm in the auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
    It is free and open to the public with the topic “Building the Ghana we want.”

    Mahama is anticipated to discuss topics like the rate of inflation, the devaluation of the Cedi, the government’s IMF program, as well as take aim at calls to fire Ken Ofori-Atta as finance minister and give solutions to the country’s economic problems.

    “John Mahama speaks on Ghana’s collapsed economy and the unprecedented hardships sweeping across the land and the way forward on Thursday 27th October 2022,” Mahama’s aide Joyce Bawah Mogtari wrote on Facebook.

    Background

    Mahama in his recent commentary on the economy has urged the government to fast-track negotiations with the IMF in order to secure the programme with the Bretton Woods institution.

    He is on record to have stressed that with the passing of each day, Ghana’s economic situation was getting worse.

    “Distressing! Every passing day makes our economic situation worse. Gov’t must work with greater alacrity to lock in a programme with the Fund in order to create a more predictable economic outlook,” John Mahama tweeted on October 4.

    The former president also in an October 19 tweet said the economic hardship confronting the country is the worst in thirty years.

    He made the remark while reacting to news that a man had died by electrocution on a high-tension pylon near Kasoa.

    “I returned from a trip to the sad news of Kakra who electrocuted himself. Levels of hardship in Ghana are dire; the worst in 3 decades. But suicide is never an answer. Even in the darkest night, there’ll come dawn. The sun will rise again. Let’s be each other’s keeper & keep hope alive,” Mahama tweeted.

    The anticipated address by John Mahama will be his second major presentation on the economy in recent times. On May 2, the former president engage with Ghanaians on the topic “Ghana at a Crossroads.”

  • This should be the last time Ghana goes to the IMF – Mahama

    The country should no longer continually turn to the International Monetary Fund whenever it experiences economic difficulties, according to former president John Dramani Mahama.

    He claimed that the country’s citizens no longer had confidence in its democracy and that instability was a result of the “going and coming” to the IMF.

    In an interview with VOA’s Straight Talk Africa program, Mahama said that the current return to the IMF has been prompted by two problems, namely excessive borrowing and revenue outpacing expenditure.

    He opined that the onus now lies on the country to particularly bring debt to sustainable levels and also achieve fiscal consolidation.

    “This government has twin problems. One is macroeconomic instability because expenditures far exceed revenues. Revenues are not performing properly. The second thing is also that they went on a borrowing spree and they have pushed our debts to levels that are unsustainable.

    “Just recently the World Bank came and said we had almost 104 of debt to GDP and so we have twin problems. One to achieve fiscal consolidation and two, to bring debts back to sustainable levels. So that is what they are faced with,” he submitted.

    Mahama intimated that issues such as the fight against corruption and strengthening of state-owned institution ought to be addressed in order for the economy to thrive.

    He mentioned that the current return to the IMF to achieve debt sustainability and policy credibility should mark the start of governments prudently running the economy.

    “The economy is situated in an environment. It does not exist in isolation and so there are somethings that need to be done to create an environment for the economy to thrive. Some of them are governance issues, strengthening state-owned institutions, the fight against corruption and so many other things that create the environment for the economy to thrive.

    “I think that when we go into this programme and we bring debts back to sustainable levels and we are able to get the bridging facility in other to achieve policy credibility so that investors again feel confident that they can bring back their money into Ghana, then we must start from there and maintain that prudence. This should be the last time we go to the IMF because going and coming, it creates a certain instability in the whole system and it also reduces the faith that people have in our democracy,” Mahama said.

    Ghana initiated contacts with the IMF in July after the economy experienced a downturn. The move was occasioned by downgrades of the economy by rating agencies such as Fitch, Standard and Poor and Moody’s which prevented the country from accessing the international capital market.

    Ghana with its move is looking for a US$3 billion programme over a 3-year period. The government has expressed confidence that the programme will help return the country onto a path of progress.

  • IMF talks: Budgetary allocations for the Presidency must be cut – John Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has stated that budgetary allocations for the Presidency must be reduced as the government negotiates an economic support program with the International Monetary Fund.

    He claimed that by doing so, the government would demonstrate to the populace its willingness to make concessions in trying circumstances.

    John Mahama stated that “if the President himself is slashing the budget of government apparatus, then everyone must be prepared to make a sacrifice” in an interview for VOA’s Straight Talk Africa program.

    He however called for an end to the country’s continuous resort to the International Monetary Fund whenever it is confronted with economic headwinds.

    “This government has twin problems. One is macroeconomic instability because expenditures far exceed revenues. Revenues are not performing properly. The second thing is also that they went on a borrowing spree and they have pushed our debts to levels that are unsustainable.”

    “Just recently the World Bank came and said we had almost 104 of debt to GDP and so we have twin problems. One to achieve fiscal consolidation and two, to bring debts back to sustainable levels. So that is what they are faced with,” he submitted.

    The former president said government must begin to implement sustainable home-grown policies which seek to create jobs, particularly for the youth.

    “You can implement a home-grown fiscal consolidated policy, but unfortunately, a lot of local and foreign investors will probably doubt that you can live by the promises that you make unless you have an institution like the IMF working with you,” he opined.

    Meanwhile, officials from Ghana and the IMF are holding the second round of negotiations in the United States of America geared toward reaching an agreement with the Fund for an economic support programme.

    Ghana is targeting $3 billion once an agreement can be reached with funds likely to be accessed in 2023.

    At the moment, IMF officials and Ghanaian authorities are working towards assessing Ghana’s debt sustainability.

  • I haven’t paid dues for 10 years – Betty-Mould slams ‘partisan’ Bar Association

    Betty Mould-Iddrisu, a former attorney general who is still a member of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), has admitted that she hasn’t been meeting her financial obligations to the organization.

    She noted that her refusal to do so was based on the partisan nature of the organization that represents all lawyers in the nation.

    She addressed concerns about Ghana’s justice delivery system in an interview with Accra-based TV XYZ earlier this week, urging the bench to accept criticism and the GBA to get its act together.

    “Because the Ghana Bar Association has lost its ability to defy outside forces, I have never had much faith in it.
    We encountered them during pivotal moments of the previous administration because it is clear that they favor one political party or the other.

    “I will pay my dues when I feel the GBA will be fair, a true arbiter of the interest of all lawyers in Ghana,” she emphasized.

    With respect to the Judiciary, she tasked them to take a recent critique by former president John Dramani Mahama in good faith and to work towards cleaning up their image and better serving the people of Ghana.

    “Article 125 of the Constitution says quite clearly that the administration of Justice is vested in the people of the Republic of Ghana and it is the judiciary who is to administer that.

    “If you don’t listen to the people, how on earth can you administer justice for us? They need to listen to us. This should be a wakeup call,” she stressed.

    She also scolded current Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame for using the recent Bar Conference in Ho to attack Mahama for his views on the Judiciary and the need for reforms.

    “Very unfortunate for a young Attorney General, Godfred Dame to come out with such statements about our former President. He was disrespectful and very upsetting to me, having held that position before.

    “I forgive him because I am a Christian and its an act of charity…” Betty Mould told IDEAS Exchange show host Eric Ahianyo on Thursday, September 29.

    “I chaired that conference of NDC lawyers John Mahama addressed. And all of us enthusiastically support his remarks about the perception of Ghanaians waning confidence in the judiciary.”

    She cautioned Dame further that being Attorney General and by extension leader of the Bar does not give anyone the right to use a Ghana Bar Association meeting to create such chaos.

    In his address at the recently held Bar Conference in Ho, Dame stressed that it was worrying that National Democratic Congress, NDC, lawyers had failed to call Mahama to order despite having made the comments at a party event.

    “Non-lawyer Mahama made the comments at a meeting of the legal committee of his party, none of the lawyers raised a finger to contest the wrong and dangerous propaganda by the former president. By their silence, they became abettors of the propagation of hate against the judiciary,” Dame submitted.

    He reiterated the fact that lawyers needed to be the loudest and strongest defenders of an independent judiciary and by extension defenders of the most crucial arm of government.

    “I find it worrying because lawyers ought to be the loudest and strongest defenders of the independence, integrity and importance of the judiciary rather than serving as tools for its destruction,” he added.

    Mahama told a gathering of NDC lawyers at a conference in Ada that a judiciary needed to be trusted by the public at all times because such trust had wide-ranging implications on the security of the state.

    He took aim at the current Chief Justice stating that it would take a new CJ to carry out needed reforms in the judiciary because of growing lack of trust in their work.

    The NDC has strongly stood by his views whiles the NPP have slammed it as unwarranted and needless.

  • A.B. Crentsil to be buried on November 5

    Late Highlife musician AB Crentsil will be buried on November 5, 2022, in Ewoyaa, near Saltpond in the Central Region.

    This was made known at the one-week memorial of his passing which was held at the Bethel Methodist Church, Tema Community 8 on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

    A family member, Joseph Kofi Quainoo, who announced the funeral and burial plans, said a wake keeping and thanksgiving service will be held on November 4 and 6 respectively.

    The Highlife star died at The Bank Hospital, Accra on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

    A.B. Crentsil to be buried on November 5

    The memorial service was characterised by the singing of a series of hymns, a biography of the deceased and brief eulogies from selected guests.

    Many sympathisers, friends and family converged at the Bethel Methodist Church and later at the Community 8 Park in Tema to celebrate the life of Highlife great, AB Crentsil.

    Also in attendance are political figures mostly from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    Former President John Dramani Mahama was in attendance to mourn the late AB Crentsil, who he described as a personal friend.

    A.B. Crentsil to be buried on November 5

    Mr Mahama was accompanied by the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, Joseph Ade Coker, some Members of Parliament including, Isaac Ashai Odamtten,( Tema East), Joseph Tetteh, (Kpone Katamanso) and other officials of the party in the Tema East, Central and West constituencies.

    A.B. Crentsil to be buried on November 5

    Also present are a number of musicians and officials of the Musician Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and other players in the creative industry including, Diana Hopson, Bice Osei Kuffour (Obour), who is also MD for Ghana Post, Rex Omar, Ahuma Ocansey, Clement Bonney, known in showbiz circles as Mr Beautiful, Kwasi Kyei Darkwah (KKD), Bessa Simmons, Lady Talata, Smart Nkansah among others.

    A.B. Crentsil to be buried on November 5

    Biography
    Alfred Benjamin Crentsil, known in local and international music circles as AB Crentsil, was born to Alfred Benjamin Crentsil Snr and Esi Yaaba on January 15 1943 at Prestea in the Western Region.

    He had his formal elementary school education at the Bedu Addo Methodist Primary and Rev. Cleveland Middle Schools.

    After his middle school education, he was apprenticed as an electrician, following in the footsteps of his father who was himself an astute electrician, employed in the service of the Railway Company in Takoradi.

    A.B. Crentsil to be buried on November 5

    However, this venture was short-lived, because his interest in music, which seed was planted at the tender age of 13 years while in Middle School under the tutorship of his mentor, Mr. Tandoh, gradually superseded any interest he had developed in the trade he was engaged in.

    In no time, he abandoned the trade and engaged all his energies in pursuing music as a career. AB Crentsil quickly mastered the rudiments of guitar playing and readied himself to play in live bands.

    He was profoundly gifted in the art of music composition and vocals. With these harnessed talents tucked under his armpit, he joined his first band, Strollers Dance Band which was based in Takoradi, in 1968. Subsequently, he played in other bands such as Lantics in Takoradi and El Dorados at Aboso.

    A.B. Crentsil to be buried on November 5

    He was a founding member of the Sweet Talks Band which was based at the Talk Of The Town Hotel in Community No. 2, Tema, alongside seasoned musicians such as Smart Nkansah, the late Jewel Ackah and Pope Flynn. He formed his own band the Ahenfo Band in 1982.

    AB Crentsil had 25 albums to his credit: some of his songs which caught both local and international attention are Papa Samo, Landlord Abodwese, Devil, Osokoo among others.

    AB Crentsil was baptised into the Methodist Church from infancy and remained in the faith until his demise. For a good part of the fifty-two (52) years that he lived in Tema, he worshipped at the Bethel Methodist Church at Community No. 8, Tema.

    AB Crentsil left behind his beloved wife Elizabeth and eight children.

    Source:myjoyonline.com