Who said Ghana's policy is not devoid of honesty and integrity?

After having read the message of May 1, 2019 from ex-President John Dramani Mahama, I could not help but ruminate inexorably on the skeptical badertion that Ghanaian policy is devoid of any kind. honesty and integrity.

In fact, after reviewing the seemingly controversial message of the former President, the only option I had was to embark on a critical appraisal.

Ex-President Mahama told the workers, "Through your efforts, over the years, we have added to the earnings of our ancestors. However, I am aware of the difficult socio-economic context in which we still expect a lot from you. "

Dear readers, I am afraid that it is the terrible decision-making errors of former President Mahama that have resulted in excessive public spending, a less efficient tax system, a high and unnecessary public deficit, a destabilization of national budgets, increased capital flight and the creation of perverse incentives. which stimulated the search for income rather than productive activities.

However, in fact, well-informed Ghanaians can not forget so soon the difficult economic conditions that the Mahama government voluntarily imposed on them.

^{The crucial question that we should then ask the former President Mahama is: what is the justification for accusing others when a debt of 9.5 billion GH was raised in 2009? , reaching an incredible amount of 122.4 billion GH with a little to show?}

^{How can ex-president Mahama exonerate himself and convince some of us of his ability to lead Ghana again when he has miserably reduced his GDP from $ 47 billion to $ 37 billion in five years?}

^{How could former president Mahama justify his ability to re-direct the country while he was catastrophically leading economic growth from about 14% in 2011 to 3.4% from from December 2016?}

^{Given the indisputable economic mess that he has overseen, why does former president Mahama refuse to take it to himself?}

Unsurprisingly, unforgivable incompetence has remained indelible on the mental sheets of enlightened Ghanaians, who confused your soul with disappointments and curses and patiently waited for a fitting moment to show the Mahama government exit.

Former President Mahama wrote: "In addition, I am aware of the unprecedented insecurity in our country, which is becoming a major threat to foreign and domestic investment in our economy."

I do not know the basis of the former president's claim, but Ghana is not at war and no known upheaval can deter potential investors.

I am aware, however, that Ghana has recently praised the rapid economic transformation of credible organizations and influential people both at home and abroad.

Despite all the efforts of the former president to try to censure the outgoing government, the NPP, on the economy, the fact remains that Ghana is moving towards a favorable economic growth .

The fact remains that, under Akufo-Addo's presidency, Ghana's economic growth has gone from a disappointing 3.4% in December 2016 to a favorable 8.6%.

And double-digit inflation (15.8 in December 2016) was drastically reduced to around 9% by the time I write.

The experienced journalist Kweku Baako Jnr put his finger on the nail when he pointed out Saturday at the political broadcast of Joy FM (News File) that the NPP administration headed by President Akufo -Addo had obtained much better results than his predecessor NDC Government headed by former President Mahama.

Juxtaposing the state of the economy during the first two years of work of the two administrations, Kweku Baako Jnr rightly concluded that the economy is in better shape under the administration of Akufo-Addo than under that of Mahama .

Baako Jnr sums it up poignantly: "There is no doubt that the Akufo-Addo administration has done much better than the Mahama administration; it's as simple as that, numbers and records support it (myjoyonline.com, 6/04/2019). "

The director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, could not have said it better by saying that Ghana's economy was in a better position than it had been in previous years under John's administration. Dramani Mahama.

Ms. Lagarde therefore pointed out that the Akufo-Addo government had made significant progress in macroeconomic stability, including inflation that had dropped to a single figure and is now within the tolerance range of the Bank of Ghana (BoG). ; sustained growth of about 5% on average between 2015 and 2018 and more than 6% in 2017-2018) and primary surplus in 2017 for the first time in 15 years (IMF 2018).

After his visit to Ghana, Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, congratulated the government of Akufo-Addo: "Ghana has reached the The goal is to halve extreme poverty and halve the number of people without access to safe drinking water, and it has achieved the goals of health and nutrition. universal primary education and gender parity in primary school.

"In the coming period, Ghana will become Africa's fastest-growing economy in 2018. Bloomberg News has proclaimed Ghana" the Star of Africa in Lender Economic Predictions in 2018 ".

"And in his reporting on the same fiscal policy results, Le Monde pointed out that Ghana 's success was not only the result of an oil boom, but also a prudent economic management, not least because a population of entrepreneurs and the role of traditional leaders and good governance.

"In addition, Ghana's record of enrollment and free lunch for students, as well as the creation of a health insurance system for the entire country, are significant results (Philip Alston, 2018). ). "

Former President Mahama continued: "Like many disappointed Ghanaians, including you, I am also aware of the many unfulfilled promises of this government, which led to the double phenomenon of mbadive job losses and unemployment."

I wonder what job losses the former president is talking about?

Well, since he could not accurately determine the job losses, I am unable to comment on his claim in detail.

However, all I can say is that the job losses will depend on the circumstances.

That said, I am really surprised that former President Mahama found a reason to complain about the allegedly dishonored promises of the Manifesto by the Akufo-Addo administration.

Let us be honest, it is extremely unfair that anyone who blames a government for successfully deploying most of its flagship programs in the 27 months after coming to power.

Be that as it may, the Akufo-Addo government has put in place laudable policies and programs, such as Free SHS, a district, a factory, a village dam, in northern Ghana, a million people. Dollars per riding, the many tax cuts, among others.

In truth, former President Mahama, President Akufo-Addo and his government graciously keep their promises of the Manifesto to the delight of the vast majority of Ghanaians.

His Excellency former President Mahama said: "On this special day, I encourage you, hardworking workers and citizens, not to despair. Do not give up on yourself and Ghana. Let's keep hope alive and pray for better times in the years to come. "

With all due respect and without any intention of condescension, it would seem that His Excellency Past President Mahama has not received any specific information on governance in the country.

Let us remind former President Mahama that, despite insurmountable difficulties, the Akufo-Addo government, since taking office, has made commendable progress in improving social mobility through the implementation of policies and programs to reduce poverty. of poverty.

Well, maybe someone should inform former President Mahama that despite the huge economic mess left by the former NDC administration in the face of slowing economic growth, the government Akufo-Addo cautiously increased economic growth from 3.4% in December 2016 to more than 8.5% in a short time.

If His Excellency President Mahama is keen to know, since his inauguration, the NPP government has significantly reversed the inflation rate, bringing it down to just over 9%, compared to just over 15% in December 2016.

Former President Mahama, it is absolutely true that the Akufo-Addo government is tackling the economic disaster of the NDC government head on.

"On my side, I promise you honest, selfless and dedicated leadership to improve the well-being and security of all Ghanaians."

I am not sure of the "sincere, altruistic and devoted leadership" of which the former president speaks, but it remains the case that, under former President Mahama, Ghana's economic growth has slowed down for the fourth consecutive year to around 3.4% in 2015. 4% in 2014, energy rationing (dumsor), high inflation and ongoing fiscal consolidation having weighed on activity (World Bank, 2016).

In addition, the high inflation rate remains high at 18.5% in February 2016, compared to 17.7% in February 2015, even after the central bank's 500bp key rate rises (inflation was 15%). , 8% in October 2016).

In addition, the Mahama government brought economic growth from about 14 percent in 2011 to about 3.4 percent in December 2016.

How can such a dismal performance be considered an exceptional governance fence?

The Mahama demilitated government, so to speak, behaved catastrophically. Former President Mahama has indeed not done enough to improve the socio-economic standard of living.

For example, former President Kufuor quadrupled Ghana's GDP to $ 28 billion in 2008, and the late Mills inherited oil in commercial quantities and managed to boost GDP to $ 40 billion in 2011.

Unfortunately, the former Mahama administration reversed GDP by an incredible $ 37 billion in December 2016.

Where is the outstanding governance that former President Mahama promises to Ghanaians?

Former President Mahama said: "Let me also remind the government of the overriding need to work conscientiously to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, in this particular case, Goal 8, which calls for promoting sustainable economic growth and a sustainable development policy. decent work for all. "

Dear reader, I am really trying hard to understand how and why His Excellency former President Mahama can preach for decent work for all Ghanaians since he has unfortunately not taken care of Ghanaian workers during his presidency.

Somewhere in 2015, doctors permanently left their surgeries and threatened to resign en mbade if the Mahama government did not improve their terms of service.

A few days after the agitation of the doctors, pharmacists and psychiatric nurses left their posts to ask for better working conditions, allowances and unpaid wages.

In addition, after an unsuccessful dialogue, public university teachers declared an indefinite strike demanding payment of their book and research allowances for 2014 and 2015.

The badociation of university professors insisted that the Mahama government had blatantly accused the acknowledgment of several letters it had written to demand the payment of compensation, which had led to its decision to boycott conference rooms.

Dear readers, if you remember, somewhere in 2014, university professors declared a similar five-week strike to force the government to release the book and allowances. research.

In addition, in the same year, the union of teachers and education workers warned the NDC government that it could also join the strike if the problems related to their conditions of service were not settled.

At the same time, about 3,000 midwives and nurses in the country also threatened to occupy the Ministries of Finance and Health if the Mahama government did not pay their salaries and wages.

Despite overwhelming concerns, the Mahama administration has clearly failed to address issues affecting the public sector, particularly the health sector.

Not surprisingly, doctors were outraged by the lack of concern of former President Mahama and pledged to step up their strike action by withdrawing emergency services (see: www. theafricareport.com/West-Africa/labour-unrest-rocks-ghanas-public-sector-sector.html).

So who said that His Excellency former President Mahama had at heart the well-being of an ordinary Ghanaian worker?

BY K. Badu, United Kingdom.
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