As an entertainment journalist and screenwriter, I prefer to focus on my field and refrain from publicly commenting on politicians, politics, and related issues.
I stopped voting after 2008 because I had experienced the consecutive tenures of both the NPP and NDC and concluded that they are both shams. None of them is prepared to tackle the fundamental problems that could take Ghana to the Promised Land. They present themselves as poised to solve the issues, but in reality, they do not mean it. It’s all deceit.
With no reliable third alternative to consider, the hands of Ghanaians are tied. The baton will continue to exchange between the NDC and NPP for years to come, so congratulations to JDM and his incoming NDC government. However, they will go down as the worst Ghana has ever witnessed.
Below are my reasons:
— The current economic status of Ghana is heading into the ditch. The nation is rich, but we are broke. Succouring the situation will not require just four years; rather, it will take a minimum of ten years. Unfortunately, the first two years of the incoming government will focus on appointments and stabilizing or resetting the economic indicators. The remaining two years will be devoted to preparing for another election. Real socio-economic development is already stymied. JDM is in a fix.
— The proposal to scrap about three to four taxes is the real imp lurking to gnaw the incoming government. This promise creates the impression that the erstwhile government was insensitive to the citizenry, while JDM/NDC cares more. Consequently, the JDM administration will likely find it difficult to introduce new taxes or raise the rates of existing ones.
A strong disapproval will greet him from NDC supporters, and a whirlwind of opposition will ensue the moment he announces any new tax or rate increase. Finding ways and where to generate taxes or increase revenue will be a thorny task. JDM is in a fix.
— Given the uphill task ahead, JDM and the NDC acolytes will begin courting public sympathy, urging patience, and shifting blame onto the previous government. Once they start this narrative, disappointment will set in among NDC supporters and floating voters who backed the NDC.
The NPP will boldly and unashamedly find their voices, and bawl: “Mr. Incompetence is back!” Or better still, sing Stonebwoy’s “Jejereje.” Indeed, expectations are extremely high and cannot be met or managed in the next four years; nor would excuses be countenanced. JDM is in a fix.
— Consistently labeling the NPP government as corrupt presents JDM and the NDC as the Mary Sue Ghana is yearning for. Unfortunately, corruption fuels African politics and makes it a lucrative enterprise to venture in. Once corruption is eradicated or significantly reduced, many politicians will be deterred from entering, and those in it will exit.
African politicians don’t learn from the mistakes of past governments, and so appointees of JDM will eventually engage in corruption and corruption-related activities. Corruption will happen! It will happen! It will happen right under the nose of the presidency. JDM is in a fix!
— The unworkable economic template that has been used for over 30 years is the same one that the JDM/NDC government will follow like zombies. Reducing importation alone requires a minimum of 10 years to achieve real economic self-sufficiency. Aside from that, many importers are politicians, or importers supported by politicians, or importers who sponsor political parties. In the end, there will be more imports and fewer exports.
The cedi will delight in the missionary position while the dollar dominates it. Inflation will rise from the ashes of its pyre with renewed strength. Also, there’s a freeze on recruitment in the government sector, and this will lead to increased unemployment. The incoming government can’t get Ghana out of this IMF conditionality in the next four years, so… JDM is in a fix!
— My final reasons can be attributed to factors such as the façade of grandeur and pomposity from government appointees, irritating defenses and justifications of the government’s transgressions, needless propaganda against political opponents, and the government’s deafness to the cries and woes of the people. All of this and more will unfold in due time.
The better Ghana we expect can’t be summoned on demand from the JDM/NDC government within the next four years, but I wish him well. If IT IS POSSIBLE to prove me wrong in a 24-HOUR ECONOMY, I await the outcome.
Until then… Motwum!!
