Ghana’s vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been criticized by a leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for his dismal record as the head of the Economic Management Team.
Mr. Benjamin Quashie, the South African NDC Council of Elders Chair, said that Bawumia’s performance would go down in history as Ghana’s worst vice president and economic manager.
According to a report by Ghana Web, He said that Bawumia had no right to have challenged the late vice president, Amissah Arthur, to answer questions on the economy when he was running mate in 2016.
Speaking on Happy FM’s Morning Show on Monday, Quashie said that the economy of Ghana is performing poorly under the current government and this is why former president John Mahama’s 24-hour economy plan is a good proposal that Ghanaians must embrace.
Economic Woes
Quashie used some statistics to back his claim that Bawumia has failed to deliver on his promises and has worsened the economic situation of the country.
He said that the lending rate in 2016 was 8.3% but rose to 14% in 2021. The budget deficit in 2016 was 6.1% but ballooned to 15.7% in 2020 and is expected to be 12% in 2022.
The unemployment rate before the NDC left office in 2016 stood at 8.4%, but increased to 14% in 2021, he added.
“If we don’t do things differently, we will continue to get the same results as has happened to almost all governments in the fourth republic,” he stated.
24-Hour Economy
Quashie argued that the country needs a complete paradigm shift from the old way the economy has been run all these years and this is where the 24-hour economy comes in handy.
He said that the 24-hour economy plan, which was proposed by Mahama during the 2020 election campaign, would work on an eight-hour shift system and would create more jobs, boost productivity, and stimulate growth. He stated that the plan has been endorsed by various stakeholders, such as the Trade Union Congress, the CEOs’ Forum, and labor expert Austin Gamey.
The plan would focus on key sectors, such as agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, household goods, sanitation, waste management, leisure, hospitality, retail, and financial services.
Quashie said that the NDC is committed to offering a better alternative to the current government, which he accused of breaking up the ruling New Patriotic Party and causing division among the people.
He urged Ghanaians to give Mahama another chance to lead the country and implement his 24-hour economic plan, which he said would bring hope and prosperity to all.
