Nana Obiri Boahen, who previously served as Deputy General Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has criticized the flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to resetting Ghana’s economy.
Mr Boahen, a private legal practitioner, dismissed the idea of “resetting” the economy, likening it to a trivial task, such as adjusting a wristwatch.
In contrast, Mahama, has asserted that the party’s manifesto launch on August 24, 2024, will mark the beginning of their effort to rejuvenate the economy.
He promised to initiate a national economic dialogue, rationalize taxes, and implement emergency measures to stabilize the Ghana cedi.
Additionally, he vowed to investigate the NPP’s “opaque gold-for-oil deal” and review the Bank of Ghana’s Gold Purchase Programme.
However, responding to these promises, Nana Obiri Boahen argued that Ghanaians have not forgotten the economic challenges under Mahama’s previous administration.
He claimed that Mahama’s proposed “reset” of the economy might lead to the cancellation of key initiatives such as free SHS, the restoration of nursing and teacher training allowances, and other programs introduced by the current government.
“How do you reset this economy? Is it a wristwatch that you will reset it on? We don’t need to reset the economy; we need an upgrade. If you try to rest the economy, or in trying to rest the economy, you will cancel the free senior high school policy. Resetting means the nursing and teacher trainee allowances will be cancelled. We cannot reset this economy, and Ghanaians should not allow themselves to be deceived by the lofty promises of the NDC.”
“We need an upgrade, not a reset. I am not saying the NPP is a saint and everything is perfect, but we have achieved a lot, and a Bawumia-led administration will upgrade the economy to a much better place,” he said.
He emphasized that John Dramani Mahama has a dismal track record, marked by poor economic management, corruption, deteriorating living conditions, and an extended period of dumsor that lasted for years and led to the collapse of numerous businesses.
“Mahama is behaving as if, excuse me, we have water in our brains and short memories. We saw his leadership and terrible record. We cannot vote for him again. He is not only incompetent but also lacks credibility and integrity. He cannot be trusted to deliver. He has been president before, and we saw his record. Bawumia, on the other hand, is a man of credibility. He is competent enough to continue and build on the legacies of President Akufo-Addo,” he said.