A Senior Political Science Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng, has criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s approach to addressing the depreciation of the cedi against major currencies, suggesting it was primarily rhetoric aimed at gaining political power.
In an interview with Millicent Safo-Adu on Kumasi-based Abusua 96.5FM, Dr. Amakye discussed the ongoing conversations among Ghanaians regarding the cedi’s depreciation. He emphasized that these discussions are likely to continue until after the 2024 general elections, reflecting widespread concern over the country’s economic challenges.
Dr. Amakye highlighted the significant role Dr. Bawumia played in the opposition, where he set standards for economic accountability and positioned himself as a solution to Ghana’s economic problems during the 2016 elections. He noted that Dr. Bawumia’s critiques of the John Mahama administration’s handling of the economy were instrumental in convincing Ghanaians to support him.
“Dr. Bawumia has met several unions in opposition, talked about the state of the economy, and lectured about the free fall of the cedi against foreign currencies. The standards he set for Ghanaians to judge him by were based on his promises regarding the cedi and foreign currencies. All we expect Dr. Bawumia to address is the cedi and the dollar conversation – that is the bottom line,” Dr. Amakye stressed.
Dr. Amakye emphasized the importance of transparency and performance in public office, underscoring Dr. Bawumia’s responsibility to inform the public about any challenges hindering his effectiveness. He criticized Dr. Bawumia for not living up to his promises and failing to communicate the reasons for his underperformance.
“Dr. Bawumia is not a small figure, so if he doesn’t know something and keeps saying it as if he knows what’s in the future, and as a result, people believe in him and give him the mandate to rule. After being given the power, he’s not performing and hasn’t informed the people about the challenges that are preventing him from performing his tasks,” Dr. Amakye explained.
Regarding the relationship between President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia, Dr. Amakye dismissed claims that the President is hindering Dr. Bawumia’s efforts. He noted the President’s trust in Dr. Bawumia’s economic expertise and his clear support for him based on his knowledge of economics.
“Nana Addo has goodwill for Ghana, so with Dr. Bawumia’s knowledge in economics, there’s no way Nana Addo will ask Dr. Bawumia not to perform his task. Nana Addo made it clear he chose Dr. Bawumia based on his knowledge of economics,” Dr. Amakye emphasized.
Dr. Amakye highlighted the significance of Dr. Bawumia’s past lectures on economic issues, noting that Ghanaians expected these promises to be translated into action. He criticized Dr. Bawumia for not delivering on his promises and emphasized the importance of performance over rhetoric.
“When Dr. Bawumia was in opposition, the lectures he gave about the free fall of the cedi were golden. In Public Administration, a section talks about Development Management/Administration, which says talking is not doing; we separate talking from doing. Dr. Bawumia has tasted power, and Ghanaians expect him to walk the talk,” Dr. Amakye stated.
Dr. Amakye also discussed the historical context of leadership in Ghana, pointing out the familial ties between past leaders and President Akufo-Addo. He suggested that President Akufo-Addo’s background and family legacy play a role in his governance approach, but he dismissed the notion that the President is obstructing Dr. Bawumia.
“If you take Ghana’s currency, the people whose heads are on the currency, at least four people have the same background as Nana Addo. None of them had the opportunity to rule Ghana. So, if someone from such a house gets the opportunity to govern Ghana, he wants to leave a name for himself and the elders of his house who couldn’t get the opportunity to rule. The argument that Akufo-Addo is not allowing Bawumia to do what he knows best is a non-starter,” Dr. Amakye explained.
Dr. Amakye emphasized the need for impactful governance to leave a lasting legacy. He suggested that Dr. Bawumia should focus on addressing the cedi’s volatility and its impact on the economy, rather than relying on rhetoric.
“It seems the good old talks with humility tactics Nana Addo used to gain power are what Dr. Bawumia is trying to employ to attain the high office of President,” Dr. Amakye opined.
Dr. Amakye Boateng’s critique highlights the gap between political rhetoric and actual performance. He calls for greater transparency, accountability, and effective governance from Dr. Bawumia and the current administration, emphasizing that actions speak louder than words in addressing Ghana’s economic challenges.
Source: Ghana Web
