The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mounted a strong critique of the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, questioning both the state of the economy he inherited and the direction it has taken under his leadership since January 2025.
Addressing a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, argued that available economic data contradicts earlier claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the economy had collapsed prior to its return to power.
According to him, macroeconomic indicators at the end of 2024 pointed to a recovering economy, citing a decline in inflation from over 54 per cent in December 2022 to the mid-20 per cent range, modest GDP growth exceeding three per cent, and relative exchange rate stability.
“These indicators show clearly that the economy was on a path of recovery, not collapse,” he stated, adding that the critical issue is whether the current administration has built on those gains or reversed them.
Mr Ahiagbah contended that while the economy faced global headwinds, Ghana had previously recorded strong growth, including about seven per cent GDP expansion between 2017 and 2019 under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP flagbearer, Mahamudu Bawumia.
He, however, claimed that the Mahama-led administration has failed to translate macroeconomic stability into improved living conditions, citing rising fuel prices, persistent youth unemployment and challenges in key sectors such as cocoa.
On the cocoa sector, the NPP criticised the Ghana Cocoa Board’s handling of global price opportunities in 2025, alleging that farmers have been adversely affected by a reduction in producer prices. The party described the move as unfair and damaging to rural livelihoods.
The briefing also questioned the government’s flagship 24-hour economy policy, arguing that it has yet to deliver the promised employment opportunities. Mr Ahiagbah further disputed claims by President Mahama that over one million jobs had been created in 2025, referencing data from the Ghana Statistical Service, which suggests significantly lower figures.
Beyond economic issues, the NPP raised concerns about environmental governance, particularly illegal mining, as well as strained labour relations involving public sector unions.
Mr Ahiagbah also touched on governance and ethical concerns, urging transparency in matters relating to perceived conflicts of interest.
He commended the Minority in Parliament, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for what he described as efforts to advocate for cocoa farmers and hold the government accountable.
The NPP maintained that governance must ultimately be judged by its impact on citizens, insisting that current conditions reflect a gap between policy claims and lived realities.
By Kingsley Asiedu
