Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his lack of innovative solutions to address the economic challenges facing Ghana. As the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahama expressed his disappointment in Akufo-Addo’s focus on securing victory for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 general elections, rather than finding effective strategies to tackle the country’s economic issues.
During a meeting with members of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Accra on Tuesday, November 7, Mahama stated, “Akufo-Addo has exhausted his ideas for resolving the economic challenges we currently face. Instead, he is directing his attention and energy towards ensuring the success of his chosen successor as the next president.”
Furthermore, Mahama accused Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Ata of engaging in excessive borrowing, which has contributed to the problems Ghana is currently experiencing.
In his view, the economic crisis could have been avoided if the Finance Minister had not embarked on ‘reckless ‘ borrowing.
He said “We could have avoided this unpleasant [economic] situation, the signs of these crises were there for all to see…conflicted Finance Minister, whose interest was to borrow recklessly and mire our economy in the quagmire of debt was obvious as far as from 2019.”
For his part, the Secretary General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Anthony Yaw Baah lauded what he calls the “game changer” policy proffered by Mr Mahama in creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.
Mr Mahama had proposed a 24-hour economy, which would see workers engaged in a three-shift system.
“We are also very interested and eager to know more about his great idea of a 24-hour economy,” Dr Yaw Baah intimated ahead of the former president’s address.
“I think this one, Comrade, you have to take your time because I can imagine the amount of jobs that this kind of thing will create.
“That could be the game-changer. I am telling you. That you have opportunity in this country to work 24 hours, 3 shifts.
“So, if you don’t get job in the morning, you can get it in the afternoon or in the night,” he noted.
Dr Yaw Baah charged the youth to get ready for jobs with this policy by the NDC ahead of the 2024 elections.
“I think and I mean it, that this is a great idea that was lying somewhere and never discovered and we will be eager to hear a lot more about it.”
He also presented TUC’s manifesto to the former president.
