Key Points
- Vickie Bright criticized Akufo-Addo’s government, calling it “a mess.”
- She expressed concern over the over-bloated cabinet and wasteful spending.
- Economic hardship contributed to the ruling party’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
Vickie Bright, a former legal advisor to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has sharply criticized the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Speaking on JoyNews, Bright did not hold back, labeling the government as “a mess.” Her remarks reflect her deep disappointment with Akufo-Addo’s leadership, especially regarding its management of the country’s affairs.
Disappointment with governance and excess ministers
According to Bright, the Akufo-Addo government had significant goodwill at the beginning, which was evident in the enthusiasm of Ghanaians when the president took office.
She recalled the excitement, particularly from women in the Makola market, who reduced prices in anticipation of positive changes. However, she noted that the optimism quickly faded as the administration failed to meet expectations.
Bright voiced concerns over the over-bloated government, which she felt was inappropriate for a small country like Ghana with a population of 32 million. With more than 100 ministers, she argued, the government was too large, wasting resources that could have been better utilized.
Excessive spending and economic hardship
One of Bright’s most critical points was the wasteful spending by African leaders, particularly Akufo-Addo. She pointed out the stark contrast between leaders using private jets for trips while asking for aid from countries where leaders travel by public transport. She expressed confusion over the lavish purchase of V8 cars, which she described as depreciating assets the country could not afford.
The former legal advisor also highlighted the hardships experienced by ordinary Ghanaians during Akufo-Addo’s tenure, including pensioners losing their investments. She argued that these failures led to the ruling party’s defeat in the 2024 elections, as people were upset and disillusioned with the government’s inability to address their concerns.
Government failure and people’s response
As Bright concluded her remarks, she pointed out that the election results spoke for themselves, noting the overwhelming margin by which the ruling party lost. She explained that Ghanaians were fed up with the government’s actions, particularly the economic hardship and lack of action in addressing crucial issues. The protests by pensioners, who were picketing in the sun, further demonstrated the government’s failure to meet basic needs.
