HOW WOULD YOU RATE PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO’S NINE-MONTHS IN OFFICE..

As we mark the 9th month anniversary of the Npp in power, it is important to briefly remind Ghanaians of the current state of affairs in the country. It has been nine months of despondency, pain, ambiguity, repression and depression. I consider it apt to recount some of the failures of the Akufo-Addo government in the various sectors of Ghana’s economy oand other sectors of our national life-

CORRUPTION AND NEPOTISM-

President Akufo-Addo’s relatives and friends are the ones dictating policy in the country. The President has surrounded himself with his family members in running national affairs. The President has given all the key positions in his government to his cousins, nephews and close associates. These are few of such appointments.

Ken Ofori-Atta- Finance Minister

Attack Akyea- Minister ( Works and Housing

Amoako Atta- Minister for Roads and Highways

Nana Asante Bediatuo- Executive Secretary to the President

Gyankroma Akufo-Addo (daughter) – Creative Arts Council

Ingrid Nana Adjoa Hackman ( wife of Gabby Otchere-Darko)- Board Member of GNPC

Gloria Akuffo- Attorney General

Eno Ofori-Atta- SIC

Apart from these appointments, the President has also appointed his former wife as an ambassador, father-inlaw of his Vice as an ambassador, brother of his Vice as deputy NADMO boss, cousin of his Vice’s wife as one of the top directors at the Finance Ministry. The President has placed his cousins and close associates as heads of our security institutions. He has appointed his cousins as municipal and district chief executives.

The President removed the Governor of Bank of Ghana and replaced him with a brother of his personal lawyer. The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, a cousin of the President terminated appointment of some officials at the Finance Ministry and replaced them with his friends and former colleagues ( Databank officials).

CORRUPTION- For the record, corruption is endemic in this administration. Instead of focusing on its campaign mantra, dishonesty and charade have characterised the actions of this government and it is all about flouting court orders and vilification of opposition leaders, harassment of journalists and harassment of judges by their hoodlums. It must be noted that it was the previous administration that sustained all the institutions for fighting corruption. Under the NDC administration, some members of the NDC were tried by our state institutions without interruption and interference. The President and his party made any effort to shield NDC members from prosecution as is the case with the Akufo-Addo’s administration which has made it a policy to sweep all the dirt and corruption allegations against its officials under the carpet. The President shielded the BOST boss in the contaminated oil saga, praised his cousin the finance minister for issuing a $2.25 bond with his wife and friends, protected his two deputies at the chief of Staff’s office over corruption allegations.

THE ECONOMY

Record available show that Ghana became the favoured investors destination in Africa under the last administration. The economy began to record positive marks and was projected to grow significantly in 2017 by the world bank and the IMF. Our revenue collection system improved as a result of the IMF deal. The cedi started gaining strength against the major currencies and inflation started pushing down as result of certain disciplinary measures introduced by the regime. Some of the populist policies implemented by this administration are exerting undue pressure on the economy. Our revenue has reduced significantly whilst government is spending millions of cedis on some of its populist policies to the detriment of the economy’s foundation

Ghanaians including some supporters of the Npp have started asking for the indicators of change Bawumia promised them and how their living conditions and livelihoods have been affected negatively. The hike in prices of goods, hike in fuel price that resulted in mass protest and civil actions by Taxi drivers, trotro drivers and organised labour.

PART 1