Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says even his party did not anticipate that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) will make the economy get this bad for Ghanaians.
He, therefore, called for a change in government in order not to deepen the woes of Ghanaians.
Nana Addo stated these on Tuesday, October 20, when he addressed a gathering in Washington DC, USA at a forum organised by Heritage Foundation.
“Even we in opposition did not think our rivals could make things get this bad,” Nana Addo confessed.
“What is frustrating for the Ghanaian people is that we believe it is all, in essence, avoidable. We believe we have what it takes to make Ghana work again. So my task is not to deepen the gloom but to give both Ghanaians and the investor community a reason to hope. That, yes, the story today may be bad but change is coming.”
Nana Addo cited rising costs of living and in doing business as well as rising unemployment as some of the aches the current government has inflicted on Ghanaians.
“Corruption is perceived to be at an all-time high. Investor confidence is low. Unemployment is worsening as businesses are folding; cost of borrowing is at 35%; inflation keeps rising, at 17.5% last month; cost of living is high; our cedi has been one of the world’s worst performing currencies over the last couple of years. Depreciation and our inability to pay our bills forced Ghana, oil rich Ghana, to apply for an IMF bailout last year. This has put a 10% cap in wage increases, way below the rate of inflation, making people poorer, and a cap on public sector hiring as well.”
Nana Addo noted that the only hurdle that poses a threat to a change in government is the current voters’ register, which he says is bloated.
“This is a real problem, the kind that cannot be brushed under the carpet.”
He told the gathering made up of former senior White House officials, US ambassadors, CEOs of major corporations, and Steve Forbes of Forbes publications that Ghana’s living former heads of state as well as other elderly personalities have called for a credible register.
Therefore, the global community might as well add their voices, he said.
“Ghana has worked incredibly hard to preserve her democratic character, one administration shouldn’t be allowed to undermine it. The hope is that the global community takes notice and urges change before the election. Rather than looking back at the 2016 election, shaking their heads saying ‘how did this happen’? We’re telling you exactly how it’s going to happen. All the pieces are in place for a crooked election.”
