John Mahama
It was not the least surprising to some of us at all when the reputable Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) reported more recently that the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) will retain power in the 2020 general elections (see: ‘2020 election is yours to lose-EIU predicts NPP victory’; myjoyonline.com/ghanaweb.com, 15/09/2019).
In fact, the EIU hit the nail on the head for concluding in its country report that former President John Dramani Mahama will find it extremely difficult to convince discerning Ghanaians into accepting that he is the preferable manager of Ghana’s economy, given the country’s fairly strong economic growth under President Akufo-Addo.
That said, the EIU, appeared extremely diplomatic for failing to state categorically that NDC would have stood a better chance in 2020 if the party delegates had elected a different flag bearer other than Mahama.
All the same, the EIU could not have put it any better: Ghana is indeed heading towards the right direction under the able leadership of President Akufo-Addo.
Indeed, Ghana’s economic growth under President Akufo-Addo (8.6% growth and 7.6% inflation), is better than under former President Mahama (3.4% growth and 15.4% inflation).
Some of us as a matter of principle cannot end our arousing disgust anyhow and anytime soon over the erstwhile NDC government’s irreversible incompetence and the corrupt practices which destabilised Ghana’s macroeconomic indicators.
But despite the unobjectionable incompetence (moved a favourable economic growth of 14% to a miserable 3.4%) and the innumerable corruption allegations (the infamous Bus branding, Brazil World Cup, SADA, SUBA, GYEEDA, SSNIT, NCA, MASLOC, Woyome, Ford Expedition Vehicle, amongst others), which observers believe largely led to his 2016 humiliating election defeat, ex-President Mahama can still muster the courage to stage a comeback. Why?
While some of us really appreciate discerning Ghanaians endless apprehension over Mahama’s desperate attempt to reclaim the presidency, the NDC loyalists, unfortunately, seem oblivious to the apocalypse of Mahama returning to the Jubilee House.
Truly, it would be extremely disastrous if Mahama was to reclaim the presidency given the terrible errors in judgment which led to the massive economic collapse.
Why wouldn’t discerning Ghanaians dread and emit grave concerns over the return of a former president who has more alleged bribery and corruption scandals hanging around his neck than any other president in the history of Ghanaian politics?
No true nationalist will ever jump for joy over the return of a former president who has serious questions to answer over the puzzling corruption scandals such as the STX housing deal, the Brazilian aircrafts, the Ford Expedition Vehicle and the Armajaro saga.
Take, for instance, somewhere last year, we read that four courageous Ghanaians had petitioned the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu, to probe into the alleged E.O. Group’s $13 million corporate social responsibility fund towards the development of the Western Region, which the petitioners claimed to have been diverted by ex-President Mahama (See: ‘Mahama diverted $13m E.O. Group money; probe him – Four citizens petition Amidu’-todaygh.com/ghanaweb.com, 18/06/2018).
Why wouldn’t patriotic Ghanaians panic over the return of a former President who can boldly accept a furtive gift of a brand new Ford Expedition vehicle worth over $100,000 from a Burkinabe contractor called Djibril Kanazoe?
I recall somewhere last year, we were greeted by yet another news of corruption scandal in the erstwhile Mahama administration, this time, an alleged oil money of GH¢40.5 million secret transfers to the presidency, via the then Chief of Staff (See: ‘Group explains why Amidu must probe Mahama, Debrah in GH¢40.5m BOST payment’; myjoyonline.com/ghanaweb.com, 19/09/2018).
It beggars belief that despite the wanton corruption, the arrogance of power and the crass incompetence exhibited by the erstwhile Mahama administration which resulted in massive economic collapse, the NDC faithful could still muster the courage to chastise Akufo-Addo and clamour inexorably for the return of former President Mahama.
Given the unpardonable rot in the Mahama’s administration, some of us cannot help but to giggle over the NDC’s faithful’s renewed zeal to return to power so soon.
Truth must be told though, the sceptics cannot be entirely correct for claiming that President Akufo-Addo has deliberately worsened the plight of Ghanaians since assuming power on 7th January 2017.
It is, however, true that Ghana under the erstwhile NDC administration experienced massive economic downslide which regrettably brought to pass harsh socio-economic standards of living.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult for any government to reverse such mess within a shortest possible time.
So, it is somewhat unfair and unreasonable to see the brassbound NDC faithful, who are currently enjoying uninterrupted electricity, reductions in electricity tariffs, low inflation, tax reductions (including import taxes), favourable economic growth and gargantuan savings on free SHS amongst others, gathering the courage to censure the NPP administration.
It is, indeed, extremely baffling to keep hearing such ridiculous misconceptions from the NDC apologists, many of whom only follow narrow party coloration, devoid of patriotism and solicitude.
Whatever the case, one has to contain his/her emotional intelligence, show unconditional deference and composure, for after all, sycophancy, partisanship and lack of patriotism have been part and parcel of our body politicking.
Verily, we can logically conclude that vague apprehension of patriotism exists in the minds of many Ghanaians, who prefer hero worshipping to defending the national interests.
Thus, some of our leaders, having first-hand knowledge of our servile compliance and hero worshipping gimmicks, tend to take us for granted and continue to provide us with mediocre leadership and services.
We should, however, take solace in the fact that despite the huge economic mess left by the outgone NDC administration, the Akufo-Addo’s government has raised Ghana’s economic growth from a disappointing 3.4% in December 2016 to a favourable 8.6%. And the double digit inflation (15.4% in December 2016) has been reduced drastically to around 7.6%.
It must, therefore, be pointed out that no economist can undo the huge economic mess created by the NDC government within 32 months into a 48 month mandate.
So, it is quite unfair for the NDC loyalists to expect Akufo-Addo’s government to conjure magic and fix the mess so soon when the NDC administration paid GH¢800 million dubious judgment debt, including the GH¢51.2 million to Woyome, $47 million to the Waterville and $325,000 to Isofoton which resulted in the drastic reduction of capital expenditure.
k.badu2011@gmail.com
K. Badu, UK.