Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has openly criticised former President John Dramani Mahama’s economic management, describing it as the worst among Ghana’s Fourth Republic leaders.
According to him, during Mr. Mahama’s tenure, the economy experienced substantial setbacks across multiple sectors, marked by soaring inflation, sluggish growth, and increasing unemployment.
Speaking at the Ghana CEO Presidential Gala in Accra last Thursday, Dr. Bawumia asserted that his criticism was based on hard economic data rather than partisan views.
He contrasted this with what he described as Ghana’s improved economic trajectory under NPP leadership, asserting that Mr. Mahama’s tenure represented a “decisive failure in economic stewardship.”
Dr. Bawumia stressed that his analysis was intended to highlight the need for sound economic management and that his remarks were meant to shed light on measurable outcomes of Mr. Mahama’s policies, which he said weakened the country’s economic resilience.
The NPP presidential candidate expressed his commitment to building on the progress achieved under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He underscored the importance of data-driven policies and positioned himself as the candidate most capable of navigating Ghana through future economic challenges.
“Despite the impact of global economic challenges, it might surprise some, including the former president himself, that his administration ranks the lowest in economic performance among all Fourth Republic leaders,” Dr. Bawumia reiterated.
He continued, “Yet, he speaks about our economic performance as though his was superior.”
Business Development
Dr. Bawumia also used the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to strengthening business development in the country, stressing that resilient businesses are foundational to a thriving economy.
He praised the role of the private sector in creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable growth.
The NPP flagbearer detailed policies introduced by the current administration to support Ghanaian businesses, including initiatives aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship, expanding access to credit, and advancing digitalisation.
According to Dr. Bawumia, these steps are critical to building a competitive, innovative, and resilient business sector.
He promised that, if elected, he would continue to prioritise business growth in order to ensure the Ghanaian economy remains vibrant and competitive on a global scale.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you may know, Bawumia means business! From banking to vice presidency, my commitment to business development has been unwavering.
“Strong businesses lead to a strong economy—show me a prosperous nation, and I’ll show you resilient businesses behind it,” he concluded.
By Ernest Kofi Adu