TIG Post

Tag: president John Dramani Mahama

  • Mahama didn’t run away from his responsibilities – Sammy Gyamfi on Dr. Bawumia’s “driver-mate” analogy

    Mahama didn’t run away from his responsibilities – Sammy Gyamfi on Dr. Bawumia’s “driver-mate” analogy

    The National Communications Director of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has strongly urged members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to refrain from drawing comparisons between former President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    Gyamfi emphasised that, unlike Dr. Bawumia, former President Mahama demonstrated a willingness to accept responsibility for his actions during his tenure.

    Sammy Gyamfi criticised Vice President Bawumia, asserting that he lacked credibility in comparison to Mahama.

    “John Dramani Mahama has served as a running mate to the late Professor Mills and as a vice president before. Did you ever hear John Mahama dismiss his roles or claim to be just a mere mate to Professor Mills? Anytime there was a problem, he took blame as he was meant to. So, please don’t lump us together with Mahama and NPP; we can’t be part of such hypocrisy,” Gyamfi stated.

    Dr. Bawumia, the Vice President, appeals to Ghanaians to support his bid for power in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.

    He emphasised that, if granted the opportunity, he intends to lead the nation independently, free from the directives of President Akufo-Addo.

    “As Vice-President, I am like a driver’s mate. But if, by the Grace of God, you make me President, I will be in the driver’s seat with constitutionally mandated authority to pursue my vision and my priorities,” he said at a lecture on Wednesday.

    Watch video below:

  • Don’t soil your hands with blood – Rev Dr. Opuni Frimpong warns Bawumia, Mahama

    Don’t soil your hands with blood – Rev Dr. Opuni Frimpong warns Bawumia, Mahama

    Respected religious leader Reverend Dr. Opuni Frimpong has issued a strong warning to Ghana’s powerful political figures, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama, urging them to desist from any acts that could incite violence as the nation gets closer to the impending elections.

    Delivering his message at Peace FM, Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong stressed the imperative of maintaining a peaceful political atmosphere, urging both leaders to prioritise the well-being and safety of the Ghanaian populace.

    The religious leader emphasised the unnecessary nature of violence in achieving leadership recognition, stating, “If you are a good leader, the whole world will know; you need not soil your hands in any form of violence.”

    He further cautioned against disregarding the lives lost in elections, highlighting the responsibility of political leaders to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

    Pointing to Ghana’s history of peaceful elections, Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong urged political figures to uphold and protect this legacy.

    He called for the prosecution of anyone who breaks the law instead of mere lip service, emphasising the accountability of leaders for the lives lost in the pursuit of power.

    Addressing political parties and their supporters, the religious leader advocated for restraint and peaceful dialogue, emphasizing that the nation’s progress and stability hinge on a united front.

    Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong’s message gains significance amidst rising political tensions in the lead-up to elections.

    Ghanaians, political analysts, and civil society groups have welcomed his appeal for peace, expressing hope that it will resonate with all stakeholders and contribute to a peaceful electoral process.

    As the nation keenly observes, the call for responsible and peaceful political engagement reinforces the paramount importance of a united and stable Ghana.

    See video below:

  • You are “incapable” and “incompetent!”- Kwamena Duncan blast Mahama over honeymoon statement

    You are “incapable” and “incompetent!”- Kwamena Duncan blast Mahama over honeymoon statement

    The Central Regional Minister and a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwamena Duncan, has slammed former President John Dramani Mahama as ‘incapable and incompetent’ over his request for a grace period if he wins the 2024 elections.

    The criticism comes in response to a statement made by former President John Mahama urging Ghanaians, particularly trade and labour groups, to grant him a grace period if he successfully regains power.

    “And you will realise the harm that the NPP administration has done to Ghana’s economy. This country is broke, and so we will beg you that when we come into office give us a bit of a honeymoon, let’s put things in place so that we bring the economy back onto its feet,” former President Mahama stated.

    Duncan, not one to mince his words, swiftly responded, asserting that Mahama’s proposal is a clear indication of his incapability to address more pressing issues facing the nation.

    He argued that the former president’s focus on honeymoon requests demonstrates a lack of understanding of the country’s priorities and exposes his incompetence.

    Duncan said in a local dialect “ anyone listening to me now, see God has exposed him, he finds himself incapable he finds himself incompetent so already he is putting out the excuse there. It is a whole psychology that is confronting him and that is why he is emphasising that this that is ahead of me , it is something that if they had any expectations at all, they were not going to materialise so give me a honeymoon,” Kwamena Duncan stated.

    The critique has sparked a heated debate within political circles, with supporters of Mahama defending the former president’s statement as an expression of empathy for the challenges faced by ordinary citizens.

    Meanwhile, Duncan’s backers view his remarks as a valid criticism of what they perceive as misplaced priorities.

    This latest exchange adds fuel to the ongoing political rivalry between the major political parties in Ghana thus the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    See video below:

  • NDC holds 11th wreath ceremony to honor late President Atta Mills

    NDC holds 11th wreath ceremony to honor late President Atta Mills

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has held a solemn and emotional ceremony to pay their respects and honor the late President Prof John Evans Atta Mills, on the eleventh anniversary of his passing.

    The wreath-laying event was conducted at Accra’s Asomdwe Park, where the remains of the late president were laid to rest.

    Prominent NDC bigwigs gathered on July 24, 2023, to commemorate the legacy of Prof. Mills, who served as Ghana’s leader from 2009 until his untimely death in 2012.

    Notable attendees included former President John Dramani Mahama, who succeeded Atta Mills and served as Ghana’s President from 2012 to 2017.

    Also present were the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and NDC Chairman, Johnson Aseidu Nketiah, affectionately known as ‘General Mosquito’.

    Numerous other high-ranking NDC members, party executives, minority members, and senior officials participated in the event.

    During the ceremony, Koku Anyidoho, a former presidential spokesperson, spoke about the circumstances surrounding Prof. Mills’ death in July 2012. The late president passed away at the 37 Military Hospital after being rushed from the Castle, the seat of the presidency at the time.

    Anyidoho, who was perceived as a ‘powerful’ aide to the former president, mentioned that he had faced accusations of personally transporting the ailing president to the hospital.

  • Kwasi Ahwoi foresees Prof Jane Naana becoming Ghana’s first female President

    Kwasi Ahwoi foresees Prof Jane Naana becoming Ghana’s first female President

    Seasoned political figure and Former Minister for the Interior of Ghana, Kwasi Ahwoi has made a bold prediction, foreseeing Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as Ghana’s first female president following the tenure of former President John Dramani Mahama.

    Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has been named as a successor to National Democratic Congress flagbearer John Mahama after 2024.

    This is according a senior Ahwoi family figure, Kwasi Ahwoi who says the 2020 NDC Running Mate will be become the first female President of Ghana after John Mahama has finished serving his term.

    “So Naana whether she is 78, 79, 80 can still be President of this country when President John Mahama finishes his service, that should not be a worry at all….” he said.

    “It is about time we put a woman in charge of this country… They have a lot to offer this country. We have tried men, we’ve seen where men have taken us. Let’s try the women,” Ahwoi added.

    The former Ghana Ambassador to South Africa defended the performance of the former Vice Chancellor in the 2020 when she was picked as a running mate by John Mahama.

    Currently, there is intense lobbying by the camp of 2020 running mate of the National Democratic Congress NDC Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang to keep her job after calls for her to be changed by John Mahama.

    number of names are reportedly coming up following the conclusion of the party Primaries that elected John Mahama as NDC flagbearer.

    This is following accusations against the 2020 Running mate of John Mahama of not adding much to the fortunes of the party in the 2020 elections.

    Some of the prominent names that may come under strong consideration include Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, a former Deputy Chief of Staff and trusted John Mahama senior advisor. She is said to have strong ties within the party and outside the party with networks that could benefit Mahama in 2024.

    Patrick Awuah, founder of the Ashesi University who along with late Finance Minister Kwesi Botchwey reportedly turned down Mahama’s Running Mate offers in 2020 could also be considered again with hopes he changes his mind.

    Others include minority leader Cassiel Ato Forson, economist, MP and former Deputy Finance Minister; Kwame Awuah-Darko, former BOST and TOR Managing Director who was under consideration as 2020 running mate; Joseph Siaw Agyapong, Group CEO of Jospong and party financier; Opong Fosu, a local government expert and Eric Opoku, an influential MP who could win the middle and Southern belts of Ghana for NDC.

  • Chief of Staff chastised us for allowing Mahama to pay electricity bills – ECG

    Chief of Staff chastised us for allowing Mahama to pay electricity bills – ECG

    The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has disclosed that the Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, lambasted the company for failing to submit a bill for payment on behalf of former President John Dramani Mahama.

    According to the Managing Director (MD) of ECG, Samuel Dubik Mahama, has disclosed that the Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, criticized the company for not properly carrying out its duties, particularly with regard to the payment of bills by former President John Dramani Mahama.

    According to the ECG MD, the company is responsible for reading the former president’s meter and submitting the bills to the Chief of Staff’s office for payment. However, this has not been done, leading to the Chief of Staff’s dissatisfaction.

    The MD revealed that during a meeting with the Chief of Staff, she expressed her disappointment with the ECG’s failure to properly carry out its responsibilities. She stressed the need for the company to improve its services.

    “We collate all former president’s bills and we send them to the Chief of Staff for payment.

    “Let me break it down, former President Kufour’s bills are with us, we gave them to the Chief of Staff and she has worked on them. We also had former President John Mahama’s own…we tried to get in touch with him, and when we got the bills, for him, he has already been paying his own bills…Yes, he pays his own bills.

    “…so, we had a meeting with the Chief of Staff and she told us her piece of mind and she told us exactly what we have to do because a lot of people would like to drop the problem at the political doorstep which is wrong,” he said.

    Speaking in an interview with Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on April 18, 2023, Samuel Dubik Mahama maintained that there will be discussions with the former President to ensure that his bills are settled by the state, in accordance with the country’s constitution.

    “So, from now onwards we are going to have discussions with him (John Mahama) so that moving forward it would be absorbed.

    “I won’t put the blame at his doorsteps or make it political, it is my office, we were supposed to read his meter and take action by informing him that we will handle it, so, we now have put those structures in place after a very comprehensive conversation with the Chief of Staff.

    He further assured Ghanaians that ECG is committed to providing reliable and uninterrupted power supply to its customers and that it will continue to work towards improving its services and addressing any challenges that arise.
    He urged all customers to ensure that they settle their bills promptly, to avoid disconnection and any inconvenience that may arise as a result.

    It may be recalled that John Dramani Mahama in an exclusive interview with TV3 in 2022 said that all he receives from the government is his monthly pension and that all other bills the state must cater for have not been attended to since he left office in 2017.

    Mahama said he is footing a myriad of bills, including light, fuel, office rent, and travel expenses.

  • Mahama engages with Ellembelle representatives in the Western Region

    Mahama engages with Ellembelle representatives in the Western Region

    John Dramani Mahama, a prospective presidential contender for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), started his three-day campaign visit to the Western Region on March 24, 2023.

    He is anticipated to communicate with branch and constituency executives from each of the region’s 17 constituencies.

    On March 26, 2023, a Sunday, the former president is speaking with NDC voters in the Ellembelle Constituency.

    Mahama, who has officially announced his candidature for the position of NDC presidential candidate, is currently visiting every constituency to urge party members to support him in the primary elections, which are set for May 13, 2023.

  • SONA: Mahama hailed in parliament

    SONA: Mahama hailed in parliament

    Former President John Dramani Mahama received loud cheers from both sides of the house following his introduction by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, although each side had its own message.

    Members of the minority side cheered Mr. Mahama on, while their counterparts on the majority side chanted “pensioner.”

    Throughout this, President Akufo-Addo smiled and rubbed his arms together. The former statesman had arrived in a grey suit and was welcomed by many, including former President John Agyekum Kufour.

    Mahama was one of many statesmen and personalities in parliament to listen to the president’s address on the state of the nation. Other attendees included former presidents, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, members of the diplomatic corps, justices of the Supreme Court, traditional leaders, and others.

    State of the Nation Address:

    The State of the Nation Address (SONA) is a constitutional obligation and yearly tradition in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. This article states that the President shall deliver a message on the SONA to Parliament at the start of each session and before the dissolution of Parliament.

    During the SONA, the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces reports on the status of the country, unveils the government’s agenda for the coming year, and proposes certain legislative measures to Parliament.

    According to Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Members of Parliament (MPs), the Speaker of Parliament, and the Judiciary are obliged to receive the President’s SONA.

  • Bole-Bamboi youth supports Mahama’s campaign with GHC 20,000

    Bole-Bamboi youth supports Mahama’s campaign with GHC 20,000

    A group calling itself the ‘Bole-Bamboi Youth for JM 2024’, have donated an amount of GH¢20,000 to former President John Mahama to support his 2024 presidential bid.

    According to the group, the gesture is an expression of their unwavering belief in Mahama to transform the country’s economic fortunes.

    In a presentation at Mahama’s office at Cantonments in Accra on Thursday, the group handed the sum to the former Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, who received it on behalf of the ex-president.

    Mr Debrah thanked the donors for the gesture and reiterated Mahama’s commitment to salvaging the economy when given the nod in 2024.

    Speaking to MyJoyonline.com after the donation, leader of the group, Mr Abdul Rafiu Haruna, said the group’s support for Mahama is connected to his ethnic relations to Bole-Bamboi, hence a gesture to one of their kinsmen.

    “John Dramani Mahama has been tried and tested. We all lived in this country when he was the president of this country and were witnesses [and] can attest to the good works he embarked on when he was given the privilege to rule this country”, leader of the group added.

    He further stated that, “the peculiarities of this election, the 2024 elections are such that we’re presented with candidates that we can measure their track records and we all agree that John Dramani Mahama, has even earned the title the ‘nation builder’ because of the massive developmental projects he has engaged in.

    “So I believe that we all can attest to what he has done for Ghana”.

    The donation by the group adds to a groundswell of support Mr Mahama has received since expressing his desire to contest the 2024 presidential elections.

    Incumbent Members of Parliament, as well as aspiring MPs and other key members of the party have thrown their weight behind the former president’s candidature.

    The NDC’s 2020 campaign manger, Professor Joshua Alabi is one of those who believe that Mahama is the best option amongst the party’s other flagbearer aspirants.

    Meanwhile, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it is prepared to face former President John Dramani Mahama at the 2024 polls.

    Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the NPP’s Director of Communication, Richard Ahiagbah, said his outfit is not intimidated by Mahama’s intentions.

    According to him, Mr Mahama did not give a good account of himself while in office, but rather subjected Ghanaians to untold hardship; including the one-time power fluctuations, termed ‘dumsor’.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Just 2 years and I will turn around Ghana’s economy – Duffuor

    Just 2 years and I will turn around Ghana’s economy – Duffuor

    A former governor of the Bank of Ghana and potential National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential nominee, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, has said that if elected president, Ghana’s faltering economy will experience a significant turnaround within two years.

    He said this after receiving the nomination forms picked up on his behalf on Thursday.

    The National Democratic Congress is set to elect its flagbearer on May 13, 2023.

    Already, four persons have picked up their nomination forms. Apart from Dr. Duffuor, the rest are former President John Dramani Mahama, former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu and a businessman, Ernest Kwaku Kobeah.

    Dr. Duffuor after receiving his nomination form, which was picked up by the NDC Women’s wing in the Ashanti Region, touted the NDC’s achievement and indicated that the Nana Addo-led government has worsened the economy.

    He promised to revive the economy if he is given the nod.

    “The place for the eagle is not the land but the sky. The eagle will soar again, Ghana will soar again. Our government, if voted for, will bring the economy back within two years. The first year will be a resurrection year and the second year, will be a complete recovery in 2025,” he said.

    He further criticized the governing New Patriotic Party for its continuous borrowing and the worsening inflation.

    “When we left office, the cedi was performing better. When we were leaving office the total public debt was GH¢35 billion. Now, it’s over GH¢600 billion. We can do better,” he added.

    Dr. Duffuor was appointed the Governor of the Bank of Ghana in 1997.

    In his era as Governor, Dr. Duffuor restructured Government accounts at the Bank of Ghana and led the implementation of both fiscal and monetary policies.

    He was named one of the four best Central Bank Governors in the World at a World Bank meeting in 1999.

  • 2024 election : I will stand for president – John Mahama

    2024 election : I will stand for president – John Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has announced that he will seek to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to victory in the 2024 general election.

    He made the long-awaited disclosure on February 21 after meeting members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament at his residence in Accra.

    GhanaWeb sources say even though not all the MPs were present at the said meeting, it was intended to assure Mahama of their support in upcoming party primaries.

    Mahama assured the lawmakers that he will contest for the flagbearership contest and that an official announcement of his bid should be expected soon, the source added.

    Two MPs have since confirmed that they were part of the said meeting. The MP for Wa Central Constituency, Rashid Pelpuo confirmed Mahama’s declaration whiles Clement Apaak of Builsa South tweeted the development.

    “JM met with us, NDC MPs, earlier today (21/2/2023) at his office. He informed us of his intention to contest to be Flagbearer of the NDC and ultimately the Presidency. We assured him of our full and unflinching support. #JM2024!” his tweet read.

    Mahama’s political roots date as far back to the days of Ghana’s independence when his father served in the Nkrumah government.

    He is reputed to be one of the most thoroughbred politicians of the Fourth Republic having served from the local level (Assembly) through to becoming a Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress.

    Mahama held deputy minister and ministerial portfolios under the Rawlings government before rising to become vice president under John Mills and president when he took over from Mills then won his first full term in 2012.

    He has been widely expected to contest for the presidency come 2024 as he seeks a final term in office on the back of two straight defeats to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2016 and 2020.

  • Energy Ministry responds to Mahama’s comment about “wasted years”

    Energy Ministry responds to Mahama’s comment about “wasted years”

    The Ministry of Energy has replied former President John Dramani Mahama following his criticism of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration over Ghana’s oil production.

    The former president berated the Akufo-Addo-led government for their lack of efforts to increase the country’s oil production in the upstream sector over the last seven years.

    According to him, greed and ineptitude against national interest have engulfed the current government which has resulted in the lack of development in the oil and gas sector.

    In a tweet posted on February 6, 2023, John Mahama described the development as ‘wasted years’ despite his National Democratic Congress government handing over two new oil fields to the Akufo-Addo government in 2017.

    “Wasted years! We bequeathed to the Akufo-Addo government two new oil fields, TEN and Sankofa. Greed and ineptitude as against national interest means a sad reality of no additional production activity in our upstream oil sector in the last 7 years,” John Mahama wrote.

    Reacting to this in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Energy Ministry said that the oil fields Mahama mentioned in his post were all discovered by the John Agyekum Kufuor-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

    It added that the Akufo-Addo government has discovered seven new oil fields from 2017 to date.

    “It cannot be lost on John Mahama and his followers, that oil production is capital intensive, high risk and dependent on the availability of investor funds, market conditions as well as prevailing global trends among others at the time discoveries are made. Thus, for John Mahama to claim that President Akufo-Addo has wasted seven years without additional production activity exposes him as a man who has no compelling knowledge of the upstream oil and gas industry.

    “For the record, under the Akufo-Addo presidency, Ghana has seen an unprecedented oil well drilling success rate from all exploration wells drilled from 2017 to date. Out of seven (7) exploration wells drilled during the period, six (6) of them were successful resulting in 7 discoveries.

    “These discoveries are: Aker’s Pecan South East (2018), AGM’s Nyankom-1X (2019), Springfield’s Afina-1X (2019), Eni’s Akoma-1X (2019), Eni’s Eban-1X (2021) and Eni’s Aprokuma-1X (Albian and Cenomanian discoveries) (2022),” parts of the statement read.

  • Akufo-Addo government meets with bondholders only when there is pushback – Clement Apaak

    Akufo-Addo government meets with bondholders only when there is pushback – Clement Apaak

    Dr. Clement Apaak, a member of parliament for Builsa South, has criticized the Akufo-Addo and New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration for skipping stakeholder meetings before the Debt Exchange Program (DEP).

    He dismissed assertions made by some government officials that former President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC would have caused more harm had they been in power.

    “Nonsense, instead of Nana Addo and the NPP accepting responsibility for the worst economic crisis ever as a result of their careless borrowing, flagrant mismanagement, and overt corruption, their pathetic and untenable justification is that “oh, it would have been worse if JM or the NDC was in charge” really, Nonsense!”

    “Shouldn’t consultations and negotiations with stakeholders have been done way back to inform the way forward in terms of the debt restructuring? The Nana Addo and NPP government you will agree, has a penchant for doing consultations only when there is a push back or resistance,” Mr. Apaak stated in a tweet.

    He continued: “It’s now clear that government didn’t have a plan before going to the IMF. Citizens and experts advised that a national stakeholders forum be held on the economy to inform best options, and to agree on a plan to the IMF, they refused. Are you surprised we are where we are?”

    The government has set up a joint technical committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Finance and leaders of individual bondholders after some agitation from the Individual Bondholders Forum.

    The team is expected to commence work on Thursday, January 19, 2023.

    “The engagement will be continued to make sure that we all understand where we are and what we have to do to go forward and as we indicated, get on a common path as we mentioned. A technical committee will be set up and will consist of two members from the individual bondholders’ forum, and we will have our first meeting on January 19, 2023,″ the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta stated.

  • Debt exchange: People’s hard-earned savings have been destroyed by the government – Joyce Mogtari

    Debt exchange: People’s hard-earned savings have been destroyed by the government – Joyce Mogtari

    Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a special aide to former president John Dramani Mahama, has accused the government of damaging Ghanaians’ well-earned investments.

    She claims that the domestic debt swap program, which the government plans to implement by the end of January this year, is how the government is collecting money from bondholders and investors.

    According to Joyce Bawah Mogtari, countless Ghanaians lost their employment and money as a result of the banking sector cleansing.

    She stated, “Fellow Ghanaians lost money and jobs in the Banking Sector Clean Up Exercise, and now they are snatching people’s livelihoods from them, disguised as a Domestic Debt Exchange Scheme,” in a tweet that was seen by GhanaWeb Biz.

    “So annoying. So now it’s the fault of Ghanaians for expecting that leadership does what it was elected to do? You mess up the economy and scuttle people’s hard-earned investments and turn round to suggest the victims of your recklessness are not being patriotic enough?” Joyce Bawah Mogtari added.

    Government of Ghana is seeking to revive the economy through a $3 billion International Monetary Fund loan.

    As part of its efforts to meet the conditions required for the loan, government has announced a domestic debt exchange programme aimed at varying the terms of existing government bonds.

    Meanwhile, goverment has extended the deadline for the expiration of the debt exchange programme to January 31, 2023.

  • Mahama better prepared for the IMF program in 2014 – UG lecturer

    Mahama better prepared for the IMF program in 2014 – UG lecturer

    Professor Godfred Bokpin, an economist, claimed in August of last year that former President John Dramani Mahama had done a better job of preparing for the financial rescue package that Ghana requested from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2014.

    He claimed that the Mahama-led administration has two domestic remedies to the current economic crisis.

    For a better deal with the IMF right now, Professor Bokpin advised the ruling New Patriotic Party to take a page from John Mahama’s book.

    Read the full story originally published on August 16, 2022 by www.ghanaweb.com.

    The current government could have prepared better for the economic rescue programme engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    This is according to Professor Godfred Alufar Bokpin of the University of Ghana, who believes the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government needed to have learned from history, specifically how the John Dramani Mahama administration approached the Fund in 2014.

    While making submissions on Joy News’ Newsfile programme last Saturday, he submitted that the Mahama government had two homegrown solutions to the economic crunch at the time.

    He is concerned that the current government announced the July 1 IMF plan without a homegrown programme stressing that the IMF does not draw a programme for any applicant except to support them through an in-house plan.

    “In 2014, when the government made the announcement on April 6, there was a document on hand. Drawing from the Senchi Consensus. There was also the Ghana Growth and Shared Development Agenda II of 2014 to 2017.

    “So, before the president (John Mahama) then made the announcement, there was a homegrown programme, so it made it a bit easier engaging the fund because we had a programme because the Fund doesn’t develop a programme for any country, that is why it is called a Ghana government programme supported by the IMF,” he stressed.

    He also averred that the IMF programme alone is not enough to solve the current crisis because the country is in an unsustainable debt situation.

    President Akufo-Addo ordered Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta via a July 1 statement to present an economic rescue programme to the IMF.

    A team from the Fund led by Carlo Sdralevich has since visited Ghana between July 6 – 13, meeting with relevant stakeholders.

  • ‘Tragic! Ghana officially bankrupt!’ – John Mahama on external debt default

    The government’s statement that several categories of its external debt repayments cannot be honored in accordance with agreed terms has prompted a response from former president John Dramani Mahama.

    In a statement released on December 19 by the Ministry of Finance, the government announced that it will stop making all debt service payments for some categories of the country’s external debt.

    While some observers have characterized the action as Ghana effectively defaulting on its external debt, the government has defended the move as an intermediate emergency measure pending further agreement with the appropriate creditors.

    The former president’s reaction was via a tweet posted on his official handle. It contained four words and read as follows: “Tragic! Ghana officially bankrupt.”

    What else the Finance Ministry statement said:

    The statement issued by the Ministry and sighted by GhanaWeb Business noted the decision is pending an orderly restructuring of the affected debt obligations.

    It explained that the suspension will include payments on Ghana’s Eurobonds; Ghana’s commercial term loans; and a large portion of Ghana’s bilateral debt.

    “This suspension will not include the payments of our multilateral debt, new debts (whether multilateral or otherwise) contracted after 19th December 2022 or debts related to certain short-term trade facilities,” the statement noted.

    “We are also evaluating certain specific debts related to projects with the highest socio-economic impact for Ghana which may have to be excluded. This suspension is an interim emergency measure pending future agreements with all relevant creditors,” it added.

    The Finance Ministry however added that government is keen on holding engagements with its external creditors in order to undertake a transparent, fair and comprehensive debt restructuring exercise in line with international best practices.

    It further pointed out that the Ministry of Finance will hold an investor presentation at a date that will be announced in due course.

  • Rev. Opuni-Frimpong urges the government, “We need a Senchi-like platform

    Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, a former general secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, is urging stakeholders to engage in an informed discussion to address Ghana’s economic problems.

    In order to support the government’s efforts to address the current economic issues, he urged that the Nana Addo-led administration should at the very least host a forum.

    After proposing it at the God’s Love Presbyterian Church’s 10th Anniversary celebration at Satellite, Kutunse in the Greater Accra region on Sunday, December 4, 2022, Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong said it in an interview with NEAT FM’s morning program, “Ghana Montie,” adding, “We need the Royal Senchi again.”

    Adding that, “there must be a platform for an objective national conversation on how we can solve the economic issues”.

    Former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong has asked President Akufo-Addo to use the Senchi Consensus approach used by former President John Dramani Mahama when the country was struck by ‘dumsor’ to turn around the current economic problems facing the country.

    He spoke in an interview after delivering a sermon at the 10th Anniversary celebration of the God’s Love Presbyterian Church at Satellite, Kutunse in the Greater Accra region on Sunday, December 4, 2022.

  • Economic crisis: This is the time to take farmers and farming seriously – Mahama

    Former president John Dramani Mahama has urged the government to treat farmers and enterprises that are tied to agriculture seriously, particularly in light of the current financial crisis.

    On Friday, December 2, 2022, Mr. Mahama sent a message to greet farmers well in honour of Farmers’ Day. He asked the government to give agribusiness priority and assist it with favourable financing for farmers and all other participants in the agricultural value chain.

    He emphasised that “now is the time for government to start taking farmers and farming-related enterprises seriously, as Ghana’s economy is on the verge of collapse, as demonstrated by Rating Agencies through their relentless downgrades, and the suffering it has brought to many homes.”

    This he believes is “the surest way we can reduce imports, strengthen the struggling cedi and save Ghana’s economy.”

    He applauded all farmers for their “priceless efforts that feed us and keep our industries running.”

    This year’s National Farmers’ Day is being held in the Eastern Region on the theme: “Accelerating Agricultural Development Through Value Addition”.

  • Economic Crisis: Mahama engages CSOs

    Former President John Dramani Mahama will today engage Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in the country over Ghana’s prevailing economic crisis.

    The meeting will afford the 2020 flagbearer of the NDC the opportunity to listen to the perspectives of CSOs on the challenges and possible solutions for the governance deficits and economic challenges confronting the country.

    The said meeting will come off at 10:30 am at the Miklin Hotel, East Legon.

    The second largest cocoa producer is currently experiencing economic crisis acknowledged by President Akufo-Addo in his national address on the economy last month.

    Ghana is negotiating a program of up to $3 billion with the International Monetary Fund(IMF).

     

  • Today in History: Ofori-Atta labels 2022 budget as Agyenkwa Budget

    The moniker “Agyenkwa Budget,” which is Akan for “Savior,” was given to the 2022 budget.

    At the end of his speech before parliament, Ken Ofori-Atta said, “Mr. Speaker, I present to you the Agyenkwa Budget.”

    The introduction of a 1.75% e-transaction tax, Mobile Money and bank transfers, the elimination of road tolls, and the allocation of GHC 1 billion to promote young entrepreneurs are some important aspects of the 2022 budget.

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has described the 2022 budget presented before parliament as Agyenkwa, to wit, saviour.

    Last year’s budget was called Obaatanpa.

    Though not much detail was given about the name, it projects that the 2022 budget does not add up to the hardships of Ghanaians.

    While speaking on the floor of parliament on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, Ofori-Atta pointed out that the burdens of Ghanaians have been reduced since the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) took over from former president John Dramani Mahama.

    “Mr. Speaker, I present to you the Agyenkwa Budget,” Ken Ofori-Atta said to conclude his presentation in parliament.

    Some highlights of the 2022 budget are the introduction of a 1.75% tax on e-transactions; Mobile Money and bank transfers, the scrapping of road tolls, and the setting aside of GHC1billion to support young entrepreneurs.

    Other initiatives introduced in the presentation are the YouStart Initiative to curb youth unemployment in Ghana and the government’s Development Bank Ghana receiving an operational license to commence work.

  • 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.

  • Today in History: Reckless economic management due to overspending during 2020 polls – Mahama

    Former President John Dramani Mahama stated that the reason Ghana was facing economic challenges was because of the government’s reckless spending during the 2020 elections.

    “It is quite clear, in our case, that it was the desire to win elections at all costs that got the government to engage in unbudgeted consumption expenditure to create an artificial feel-good factor before the election 2020. It is this overspending that led to the very large deficit that has undermined the economy,” he said.

    Read the full story originally published on November 11, 2021, by rainbowradioonline

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has opined that the government‘s poor and reckless management of the economy is due to overspending on the 2020 elections and not the effects of the pandemic.

    The former leader says the current administration is only blaming their poor management of the economy for the economic effects of the Covid -19 pandemic.

    Addressing the nation at the Kempinski hotel to end his tour of the 16 regions, Mr. Mahama said: “The government has attempted to conceal its appalling incompetence and recklessness in the management of the economy with the Covid-19 pandemic while the pandemic pose a global challenge to the global economy including ours.

    “It is quite clear, in our case, that it was the desire to win elections at all cost that got the government to engage in unbudgeted consumption expenditure to create an artificial feel-good factor before election 2020. It is this overspending that led to the very large deficit that has undermined the economy.”

    He further stated that all African countries were hit by the outbreak, but they managed their economy effectively.

    “Data from our neighbours and other comparative countries in sub-Saharan Africa who were also ravaged by the Covid -19 clearly shows that almost all of them kept their economies within manageable limits and have not been through the economic crisis that Ghana finds itself in today.

    “Covid-19 did not affect us any more extraordinarily than it did to Cote D’ Ivoire, yet their budget deficit for 2020 was 5.9 per cent, and their debt to GDP ratio stands at 49 percent. Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Niger and others have deficits below 7 percent while their debt to GDP is nowhere near the 80 percent that Ghana has recorded,” he said.

    He added: “The undeniable effects of Covid-19 notwithstanding, it is evident from the above that the government placed its inordinate desire to win elections above prudent economic management, and that is why Ghanaians are going through much suffering now.

    “Long before Covid-19 struck, red flags had emerged, signalling mismanagement of the economy, we drew attention to this, but no corrective action was taken.”

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Ghana cedi has depreciated by over 62% in 10 months – John Mahama

    The country’s current economic situation, which former president John Dramani Mahama feels has led to deteriorating living circumstances over a number of decades, has drawn his attention.

    He asserts that Ghana’s economy has been thrown into crisis after crisis over the last few years, with essentially no end in sight.

    The former president said that the Ghana cedi has experienced the highest-ever depreciation against the US dollar this year in a tweet posted on Friday, November 4, 2022.

    “In the last few years, our economy has lurched from crisis to crisis, ultimately resulting in the most debilitating living conditions in several decades,” John Mahama wrote.

    “Within a space of ten months, our currency has depreciated by over 62% against the US$, which is the highest in recent memory,” he added.

    The current economic challenges in Ghana have reached unprecedented levels as citizens, businesses, and residents have been grappling to make ends meet in rather turbulent times.

    Ghana’s local currency has since been ranked by Bloomberg as the worst performing in the world against the US dollar, overtaking the Sri Lanka rupee.

    Bloomberg, at the time of the ranking, said the cedi had tumbled by about 50 percent to the US dollar.

    This has resulted in an upsurge in the cost of living, persistent fuel price hikes, job losses, worker agitations, and general frustration among the Ghanaian populace, which has been brewing for months.

    Although President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has formally admitted the country has been plunged into a crisis, hopes of securing an IMF support programme to restore macroeconomic stability have been put into question by economic experts.

     

  • Minority signals debt restructuring in 14 days; says there’ll be haircuts

    The government is expected to execute some sort of debt restructuring in the next 14 days, according to the NDC Minority Caucus in Parliament, which could have an impact on the investor community.

    No individual or institutional investor, including pension funds, in government treasury bills or other instruments will lose money as a result of the ongoing IMF negotiations, President Akufo-Addo has promised Ghanaians.

    The minority leader Haruna Iddrisu responded to the President’s comments by arguing that debt restructuring is unavoidable given the catastrophic status of Ghana’s economy.

    He said contrary to President Akufo-Addo’s claim that there will be ‘No haircuts’, investors in government bonds and other pension funds will be adversely affected by the move.

    “President Nana Addo Dankwa in his attempt to rebut President John Dramani Mahama and our Ranking Member, the Hon. Ato Forson on debt and its management and sustainability dismissed the argument of a haircut. He was categorical that there will be no haircut.

    “We are assuring the people of Ghana, we’re assuring investors, people with savings, people with investments in instruments that there will be a barber of a sort, probably that barber will be Sika mp3 dede barber.

    “Whether it affects domestic investment or domestic instruments, we’re giving you only fourteen days from today, you’ll hear from them publicly, efforts to restructure our unsustainable debt, and those efforts will necessarily include a Sika mp3 dede barber for many persons who have investment and savings in some instrument,” he told Journalists in Parliament.

    The Tamale South MP further accused the President of failing to take responsibility for the troubles the country is enduring in his address on the economy.

    “The President failed to accept responsibility that he’s responsible for the sorry state of the Ghanaian economy and he’s responsible for the wrenched economy which has consequences on livelihoods, poverty has exacerbated, cost of living has gone high, cost of doing business high, many businesses are folding up, some industries are now re-routing their investments into neighbouring Ivory Coast and other countries because Ghana is no longer the investment haven as it should be.”

  • Ghana must adopt ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ strategy – John Mahama

    General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Ghana’s former military ruler, instituted the “Operation Feed Yourself” strategy in the 1970s, according to former president John Dramani Mahama.

    Even though General Acheampong had his shortcomings, the former president said that his “Operation Feed Yourself” approach was mostly effective because it allowed the nation to produce almost all of the food it consumes.

    According to the former president, one of the main causes of the continual depreciation of the Ghana Cedi and the high rise in food prices is Ghana’s export of food that it can produce. As a result, the country cannot continue to do so.

    Mahama, who made these remarks during the presentation of his ‘Building the Ghana We Want’ lecture, said that Ghana spends nearly $3 billion annually to import food it can produce locally which is very worrying.

    “General Acheampong, despite the depraved corruption that swallowed him up in later years, was off to a good start in the early part of his regime. His “Operation Feed yourself” and “Operation feed your Industries” programmes yielded massive results during the period from 1972 through to 1976.

    “We do enormous damage to our currency, the cedi, and our economy, when we spend billions of dollars on the importation of rice, sugar, tomato products, frozen fish, poultry, meat products and vegetable cooking oils.

    “Yet we have more than the potential to produce here to feed ourselves and even export,” he said.

    Mahama proposed that the government must put measures in place to support large-scale commercial agricultural production to achieve food self-sufficiency because supporting small-scale farming is not enough.

    Bring back ‘Operation Feed Yourself’ – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

  • 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.

  • Bawumia-led Economic Management Team must be disbanded – Kwakye Ofosu demands

    Former President John Dramani Mahama’s assistant Felix Kwakye Ofosu has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to remove the Vice President from his position as chairman of the Economic Management Team (EMT).

    He claimed that there were insufficient requests for the dismissal of Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, and his staff.

    In a Facebook post on October 25, he stated that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia should also be asked to resign from his position as the head of EMT.

    Kwakye Ofosu believes Bawumia has been ‘useless’ at the post thus he and other members of the EMT should be dismissed.

    The former deputy minister stated that the dismissals were the only way President Akufo-Addo can demonstrate seriousness in addressing the “horrific economic crisis” that the country is being confronted with.

    “It is not enough for Ken Ofori Atta and his team to go. Bawumia, who has been utterly useless as Head of the Economic Management Team, must be dismissed from that position together with all its members. That is the only way the President can demonstrate any level of seriousness at tackling the horrific economic crisis we are facing,” Kwakye Ofosu wrote on his page.

    Ghana’s economy has been facing a downturn in recent months with economists pointing to record-high inflation rates, fuel prices hikes and the fast depreciation of the Cedi as signs of the crisis.

    Under the present economic challenges, President Akufo-Addo and his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia together with Ken Ofori-Atta (Finance Minister) have come under heavy criticism over their handling of the economy.

    But the president has on a number of occasions kept faith with his appointees and shot down a ministerial reshuffle. He insists that his ministers are performing well.

    On Ken Ofori-Atta, President Akufo-Addo touted his achievements stating that he was the one who turned the economy into one of the fastest growing economies in world in his first term and thus possessed the required skills to steer the country out the current crisis.

    On Tuesday, October 25 however, over eighty (80) MPs from the New Patriotic Party demanded the sacking of Ofori-Atta and Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen.

    The minority caucus also filed a motion of censure to dismiss Ken Ofori-Atta from his role. The NPP MPs have threatened that they will boycott the 2023 budget debate if President Akufo-Addo fails to sack Ken Ofori-Atta and Charles Adu Boahen.

  • Ahmed Suale murder: Don’t back down on efforts to ensure killers are punished – Mahama to GJA

    The leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has visited former President John Dramani Mahama.

    The purpose of the visit was to introduce the new executives of the association, re-engage Mr Mahama as a member and invite him as a special guest for the upcoming GJA awards scheduled to take place at Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel on Saturday, 12 November 2022.

    Speaking during the visit on Friday, 21 October 2022, the GJA acknowledged the former President’s support in the establishment of the media fund under his government, geared towards aiding and building the capacity of journalists.

    President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour said: “Your support and promotion of press freedom is non-negotiable. You’ve been the guest of honour for our GJA awards when you were the president; this is how important you valued the Association.”

    The former President commended the association for a peaceful election.

    He noted that: “Many of us watchers of the media were getting a bit concerned with the delay in democratisation within the organisation and you being the watchdogs of our democracy if you yourselves could not get it right then there were a lot of concerns being expressed about it.

    “But I’m happy that your election finally took place and an executive has been put in place.”

    Mr Mahama further commended the Association for its role in broadening the media space in the country.

    “The watchdog role of the media and they’re saying that the media shall be the watchdog of the people over government and so that is a role that you have had to effectively play. The GJA has played a very strong role in broadening the media space in order that journalists can operate and operate without fear of harassment.”

    He called on the GJA, not to relent in its efforts to ensure justice for slain journalist, Ahmed Suale.

    “For some time, there’s been concerns that the Association had become a bit docile in terms not only of safeguarding the media space but also in terms of defending its members when they come under attack from the work that they do.

    “Of course one of your own, paid the ultimate price, Ahmed Suale and as of now there still doesn’t seem to be any movement in apprehending the people who assassinated him in such cold blood and I think that is something that you must not sleep on. You must continue to fight to make sure that whoever were responsible for that murder, you know, are brought to book.”

  • Africa must bridge trade deficit with China – Mahama

    According to former president John Dramani Mahama, the trade imbalance between China’s imports of goods to Africa and its exports to China, which are estimated to be worth $106 billion, must be closed.

    He claimed that the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will strengthen free trade between the continent and China, but that since China is one of Africa’s largest bilateral trading partners and will remain so, attention should be paid to how this trade benefits countries on the continent as much as it benefits China.

    In his keynote address to open the virtual Abuja Forum 2022 organised by Gusau Institute on Thursday, 13 October 2022, Mr Mahama noted that Ethiopia should be a model for Africa’s relations with China.

    “Today, it is reported that there are more than 400 Chinese manufacturing investments here, in Ethiopia, and the goods they produce are exported into the US and sourced by some of the major American buyers.

    “Why should the rest of Africa not look up to that model and get the support of China to develop same and contribute to a great industrialisation drive on the continent?” he quizzed.

    He added that Senegal has built a special economic enclave to attract Chinese and other manufacturing companies. Rwanda, Mauritius, and South Africa are all making steady progress in manufacturing and value addition.

    “We must take advantage of AfCFTA, grow our value chains, and get ready for increased international trade,” he stated.

  • Akufo-Addo pretending to fight galamsey because of climate funds – Bawah Mogtari

    According to Joyce Bawah Mogtari, a close adviser to former president John Dramani Mahama, President Nana Akufo-Addo may be eying funds from the global climate action fund since he is pretending to reinvigorate the campaign against unlawful small-scale mining (galamsey).

    The assistant claimed that President Akufo-Addo has never been interested in the fight against the scourge on the October 10 episode of Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana.

    She asserted that more will be done to fight galamsey if the president leaves office while also implying that President Akufo-Addo has shielded party leaders who have been mentioned in numerous reports.

    “If he leaves the scene now, I can bet you a lot more will be done to stem galamsey,” Bawah Mogtari said.

    The former deputy Transport Minister added that President Akufo-Addo should have resigned over his failed fight after he placed his presidency on the line to combat galamsey.

    She emphasized that the country ought to put an end to paying lip service to what she describes as an “existential threat.”

    “President Akufo-Addo has no intention. He never intended. It was never part of his plan. I am almost certain that maybe there is some climate funds available that he wants to collect so he has to make an effort and pretend that he is fighting galamsey. That’s all it is. Oh yes. It is a mere huff and puff.

    “He means absolutely nothing. We were supposed to put our jobs on the line…in fact, he should have been resigning by now. At least tell us that I am a very proud man, that I have failed in my fight against galamsey; in any case I have failed in the other things I promised to do so let me go home and rest. But of course his Vice President is the same. Let’s stop paying lip service to the realities on the ground,” she said.

    “This is a serious existential threat that we all are grappling with. I think that pretending to fight it is even a lot worse. You should just do nothing then so at least we know you are doing nothing,” Bawah Mogtari added.

    Background

    President Akufo-Addo met with the National House of Chiefs on October 5 to seek their renewed support in dealing with the galamsey menace.

    In an address, the president expressed concerns over galamsey activities which he admitted has been a lost battle over the years.

    He said even though he put his presidency on the line to combat the menace in 2017, it results has not been what he expected.

    The president said he paid an electoral price for his fight as he lost votes and, in some cases, NPP MPs in the 7th Parliament lost their reelection bid in mining communities.

    He stated that the fight against illegal mining can only be won with the support of chiefs as well as depoliticizing the fight.

    “It can only succeed if it is a truly national battle that no one seeks to exploit for political gain, as we saw in the last election. The progress of our country depends on all of us, all citizens of Ghana, all Fellow Ghanaians, pulling together to defeat this existential threat to our future,” President Akufo-Addo said.

    Ghana has over the last few years been waging war on the activities of illegal miners, however, it is widely believed that the fight has not yielded the desired results.

    The discolored nature of water bodies as well as general environmental degradation has been used as a testament to the failed fight.

  • NPP Communication Director clashes with Randy Abbey over Mahama’s ‘galamsey amnesty’ comment

    The Director of Communications for the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, has clashed with veteran broadcaster Dr. Randy Abbey over comments made by former President John Dramani Mahama on granting illegal miners (galamseyers) amnesty.

    John Dramani Mahama, in October 2020, indicated that his government would grant amnesty to people who have been arrested in connection with illegal mining.

    According to him, the New Patriotic Party has been biased in the arrest of citizens whilst turning a blind eye to foreigners who are equally involved in illegal mining.

    “It’s sad. The government said it was fighting galamsey and they arrested, prosecuted, and jailed Ghanaians who were engaged in that activity but left the Chinese woman… when we come, we shall grant all those arrested and jailed some amnesty,” said Mr. Mahama during his tour in the Western Region.

    In a panel discussion on Good Morning Ghana on Friday (October 9), which was monitored by GhanaWeb, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communication Director sort to conclude that Mahama’s actions amounted to politicians taking advantage of the fight against illegal mining to win political favour as a research finding in 2017 stated.

    “I have showed you a video of the NDC canvassing people that vote for us when we come. We will allow you to galamsey. And I am telling you an academic position that says that, that is a real weakness and politicians and galamseyers are exploiting that.

    “And I am going to tell you that there is a political party in the 2020 Election that exploited this position, this finding as a way of campaigning to say that if you vote for us we will allow you to galamsey.

    “… and indeed the outcome of the 2020 Election tells you that indeed, the NDC’s strategy to exploit galamsey (worked). The findings here support the outcome that the NDC got in the 2020 Election. That is just the point I was making,” he said.

    But, the host of Good Morning Ghana, did not agree with the NPP communicator’s conclusion because the findings of the research were gathered from data gathered in elections held in 2016, 2012, and other subsequent elections.

    “You refer to this report which was out doored in June 2017, which refers to how political parties, especially when they are in opposition exploit the galameysers for political benefit. And you used that to demonstrate what you believe the NDC did in the 2020 Elections.

    “ … now I am asking you whether this June 2017 report was not speaking to what had happened in previous elections, be it 2016, 2012, 2008 and, therefore, not a vindication of what political parties do when they are in opposition do and not necessarily what the NDC did in 2020 because of this 2017 report.”

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • Ibrahim Mahama crowned ‘Man of the Year’ at EMY’s award event

    Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former president John Dramani Mahama was adjudged Man of the Year at the 2022 EMY Africa Awards which took place on October 1, 2022, at the Grand Arena

    The business mogul who is CEO of Engineers and Planners and Dzata Cement was feted by the organizers for his leadership in the area of business.

    The award ceremony was a black tie event that saw lots of business people in attendance. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia was the special guest of honour.

    Over twenty plaques were given to winners across different categories amid lots of music, food and drinks.

    After the event, Ibrahim Mahama was spotted at the Twist Nightclub in Accra apparently celebrating his award with close associated.

    In a video posted by blogger Ghhyper, the Dzata Cement boss is seen partying with Nigeria’s Burna Boy, the African Afrobeats star.

    Here’s the full list of winners at EMY 2022:

    Man of The Year (Health) – Dr. Elikem Tamakloe

    Man of The Year (Agriculture) – Alhaji Mashud Mohammed

    Man of The Year (Technology) – Andrew Takyi-Appiah

    Man of The Year (Sports) – Benjamin Azamati

    Humanitarian Award – Alex Dadey

    Discovery of the Year Award – Free The Youth (FTY)

    Guardian Guard Award – Lanre Olusola

    Lifetime Achievement Award – Joe Lartey

    Designer of the Year – Ezekiel Yartel

    Young Achiever (Female) – Audrey Maame Esi Swatson

    Settler Award – Amaar Deep S. Hari

    Man of Courage Award – Nii Quaye Brown

    Creative Arts and Support Award – Tony Tometey

    Actor of the Year – Adjetey Annan

    Media Excellence Award – Ayo Animashaun

    Group of the Year – Rotary Club

    Man of the Year (Music) – Kofi Kinaata

    Brand of the Year – Caveman Watch

    Young Achiever (Male) Award – Richie Mensah

    Continental Film Icon Award – Richard Mofe Damijo

    Continental Music Icon Award – Michael C. Ajereh (Don Jazzy)

    Man of Style – Trevor Sturrman

    Green Corporate Star Award – Coliba Ghana

    Magnate of The Year – Kwame Ofosu Bamfo

    Man of the Year (Africa)- Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina

    Woman of the Year – Professor Elsie Effah Kaufmann

    Man of the Year – Ibrahim Mahama

    Source:ghanaweb.com

  • HIPC is behind us – Ofori-Atta affirms

    Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced in October 2020 that Ghana was no longer reverting to Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) classification.

    He claimed that the Akufo-Addo-led administration was making great efforts to prevent the Ghanaian economy from entering a precarious position.

    This was mentioned by Ken Ofori-Atta during the parliamentary presentation of the 2021 budget.

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has allayed possible fears that the Ghanaian economy in the coming months or years may relapse to the much dreaded Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) status.

    According to him, such cases of severe economic downturns are past and gone under the Akufo-Addo-led government.

    His comment come on the back of recent claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the country has once again been listed as a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC).

    While presenting the 2021 budget statement in parliament, October 28, 2020 the Finance Minister said the current state of the economy under the Akufo-Addo-led government will only get better and not worse.

    He said severe cases of economic mismanagement and relapses are far gone and only persisted under the erstwhile administration.

    Ken Ofori-Atta read; “In 2001, Ghana had no choice but to swallow her pride and to sign up to the HIPC initiative. A legacy left by the outgoing NDC government. Thankfully, President John Agyekum Kufuor got us to completion in record time and came out of HIPC. By 2014, barely two years in office, President Mahama’s home-grown policy failed and Ghana signed up once again unto an IMF programme…”

    “Ironically, those who mismanage the economy for us to come and fix it are the one’s wishing Ghana ill. My message to them is this; there is no turning back…,” he added.

    “HIPC is behind us. Economic mismanagement is behind us. The economy is stronger today than it was 4 years ago, and will continue to grow stronger and stronger with 4 more years to do more for the people of Ghana, with God’s help…” he said.

    It would be recalled that former President John Dramani Mahama on Monday told some professionals at a meeting that the IMF has predicted that Ghana’s current rate of borrowing and debt to GDP ratio of 76.7% put the country in a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) status.

    He said, “The IMF in its Sub-Saharan African Regional Economic Outlook forecast the current rate of borrowing and debt at a frightening 76.7% debt to GDP ratio. Unfortunately, Ghana is back to HIPC status under Nana Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta administration.”

    But the communications team of the NDC subsequently sought to deny this statement after the IMF debunked Mahama’s claims.

    Economic growth expected to rebound strongly in 2021 – Ken Ofori-Atta

  • It is astonishing that Mahama claims the Russia and Ukraine is not the root of Ghana’s difficulties – Majority leader

    Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the MP for Suame, expressed his confusion about former president John Dramani Mahama’s assertion that the country’s current problems are unrelated to the conflict in Russia and Ukraine.

    According to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Ghana was directly impacted by the Russia-Ukraine war by the drop in exports from Ukraine and indirectly by the war’s impact on the price of petroleum products.

    The conflict in Ukraine is having an impact on us since Ghana imports around 40% of its wheat and wheat flour from Ukraine.
    And the price of bread is costly because they are unable to export them to us.

    “The increase in the price of things we don’t export from Ukraine is because the price of petroleum products has increased due to the war. Because of the increase in the prices of petroleum products, the cost of transportation has also increased, which is affecting the prices of all other goods.

    “So, it is shocking to hear the former president say he does not see how the Russia-Ukraine war affects Ghana’s economy,” he said in Twi, in an interview with Hello FM, monitored by GhanaWeb.

    Former President Mahama recently berated the Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, for attributing Ghana’s prevailing weak economic situation to the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    The remark made by the IMF chief, in Mr. Mahama’s opinion, ignores the fundamental truths underlying Ghana’s economic difficulties, which he attributes to poor management on the side of the Akufo-Addo-led administration.

    “While observing the custom in international diplomacy of speaking quietly is welcomed, statements made by high-ranking officials must be supported by evidence and take into account local circumstances and opinions.

    The former president stated, in a Facebook post seen by GhanaWeb, “The indisputable fact is that Ghana is in a shambles due to the terrible policies of this government, which have contributed immensely to the dire condition of affairs.”

  • “The 1992 Constitution will be reviewed by the next NDC government to address ex-gratia payments” – Mahama

    Former president John Dramani Mahama has reassured Ghanaians that issues relating to ex-gratia payments will be addressed by the following National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.

    He asserts that changes must be made to the 1992 Constitution, which serves as Ghana’s ultimate legislation, in order to address the rights of officers covered by Article 71.

    The 2020 NDC nominee thinks Ghana’s progress toward democracy has been undermined by the current Akufo-Addo administration.

    Speaking at a meeting with NDC lawyers, the former President assured that if the NDC is given the nod in 2024, the review process of the constitution which commenced during the period of late President Atta-Mills will continue.

    “The next NDC government must commit to the implementation of the review of the 1992 Constitution, which was begun by President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory.

    “This review should among others aim at reforming the judiciary and tackle head-on issues on ex-gratia payments and other matters of Article 71 emoluments,” Mahama stated.

    In recent years, arguments have surfaced about the number of officials who benefit from the ex gratia payments and whether there is a need for the payments at all.

    After Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, a former Council of State member, refunded monies paid to him as ex gratia, many have criticised public office holders as to whether they deserve the monies paid to them.

    Togbe Afede XIV who served as a member of the Council of State, an advisory committee to President Akufo-Addo between 2017 and 2020, while refunding the money stated that “I returned the ex gratia money not because I did not need money. In fact, at that particular time, I needed money very badly to meet various family obligations.

    “But I truly believed that the money was not deserved. It was inappropriate for what I will emphasize again was essentially part-time work.”

    In 2017, however, Ghanaian lawyer, Elikplim L. Agbemava, went to the Supreme Court seeking clarification on some of the benefits enjoyed by the Article 71 officeholders.

    He wanted presidential staffers who benefit from salaries, allowances, and privileges like the Article 71 officeholders, to be stripped of such gratuities, claiming it “is inconsistent with Article 71 and therefore unconstitutional.”