for the economic challenges Ghana has faced under the Akufo-Addo NPP administration. Let’s break this down into two parts:
Historical Background and Overview of Campaign Promises
Before the 2016 elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Nana Akufo-Addo campaigned on several key promises aimed at transforming Ghana’s economy. These promises included:
– One District, One Factory: Aimed at boosting industrialization and creating jobs.
– One Village, One Dam: Intended to improve agricultural productivity.
– Free Senior High School (SHS): To provide free secondary education.
– Reduction in electricity tariffs: To make power more affordable.
– One Constituency, One Million Dollars: To support development projects.
– Transition from taxation to production: To shift the economy from reliance on taxes to production.
OVERVIEW OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND CHALLENGES
Since assuming office, the AKUFO-ADDO-BAWUMIA administration has faced significant economic challenges, including:
– Banking Sector Collapse: Several banks and financial institutions have collapsed, leading to job losses and economic instability.
– Financial Malfeasance and Corruption: Scandals involving financial mismanagement and corruption have been reported.
– Opaque Deals: Controversial deals have raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
– Inflation and Cost of Living: Despite promises to reduce inflation and the cost of living, these issues have persisted.
– Unemployment: High unemployment rates, especially among the youth, have been a persistent challenge.
HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THE MEDIA MIGHT CONSIDER ASKING DR. BAWUMIA FOR HIM TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES:
1. What measures were taken to prevent the collapse of banks and financial institutions?
2. How has the administration addressed the issue of financial malfeasance and corruption?
3. Can you provide details on the Gold for Oil deal and its impact on Ghana’s economy?
4. What steps have been taken to reduce inflation and the cost of living?
5. How has the administration tackled the high unemployment rates, especially among the youth?
6. What is the current status of the One District, One Factory initiative?
7. How has the administration ensured transparency in government dealings?
8. What is the administration’s plan to recover from the economic challenges faced during its tenure?
9. How has the Free Senior High School policy been funded and sustained?
10. What is the administration’s response to criticisms regarding the opacity of certain government deals?
1. POWER DISTRIBUTION SERVICES (PDS) DEAL
1. What were the main objectives of the PDS deal?
2. Why was the PDS deal canceled?
3. What measures were taken to ensure transparency during the PDS deal negotiation?
4. How has the cancellation of the PDS deal impacted Ghana’s power distribution?
5. What steps have been taken to address the issues identified in the PDS deal?
6. Can you provide a detailed account of the financial implications of the PDS deal?
7. How has the government ensured accountability for those involved in the PDS deal?
8. What lessons have been learned from the PDS deal, and how will they be applied in future deals?
9. How has the cancellation of the PDS deal affected Ghana’s relationship with international partners?
10. What are the current plans to improve power distribution in Ghana following the PDS deal cancellation?
2. PWALUGU MULTIPURPOSE DAM PROJECT
1. What is the primary purpose of the Pwalugu Dam project?
2. How will the Pwalugu Dam project benefit the local communities?
3. What is the current status of the Pwalugu Dam project?
4. What challenges have been encountered during the Pwalugu Dam project’s development?
5. How is the government addressing environmental concerns related to the Pwalugu Dam project?
6. What measures are being taken to ensure the Pwalugu Dam project’s completion on time and within budget?
7. Can you provide details on the financing of the Pwalugu Dam project?
8. How will the Pwalugu Dam project contribute to Ghana’s overall energy capacity?
9. What steps have been taken to involve local communities in the planning and implementation of the Pwalugu Dam project?
10. How will the Pwalugu Dam project impact Ghana’s agricultural sector?
3. HOBART SOFTWARE ECG DEAL
1. What was the main objective of the Hobart Software ECG deal?
2. How has the Hobart Software ECG deal improved the efficiency of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)?
3. What were the key terms and conditions of the Hobart Software ECG deal?
4. How has the implementation of the Hobart Software impacted ECG’s operations?
5. What measures were taken to ensure transparency during the negotiation of the Hobart Software ECG deal?
6. Can you provide details on the financial implications of the Hobart Software ECG deal?
7. How has the Hobart Software ECG deal affected customer satisfaction and service delivery?
8. What challenges have been encountered during the implementation of the Hobart Software ECG deal?
9. How is the government ensuring accountability for the successful implementation of the Hobart Software ECG deal?
10. What lessons have been learned from the Hobart Software ECG deal, and how will they be applied in future technology deals for ECG?
ONE DISTRICT, ONE FACTORY
1. How many factories have been established under the One District, One Factory initiative?
2. What measures have been taken to ensure the sustainability of these factories?
3. How many jobs have been created through this initiative?
4. What challenges have been faced in implementing One District, One Factory?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. Can you provide details on the types of factories that have been established?
7. How is the government ensuring that all districts benefit equally from this initiative?
8. What is the long-term plan for maintaining and expanding these factories?
9. How has the One District, One Factory initiative impacted local economies?
10. What feedback has been received from local communities regarding this initiative?
ONE VILLAGE, ONE DAM
1. How many dams have been constructed under the One Village, One Dam initiative?
2. What measures have been taken to ensure the sustainability of these dams?
3. How has the One Village, One Dam initiative impacted agricultural productivity?
4. What challenges have been faced in implementing this initiative?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. Can you provide details on the locations of the dams that have been constructed?
7. How is the government ensuring that all villages benefit equally from this initiative?
8. What is the long-term plan for maintaining and expanding these dams?
9. How has the One Village, One Dam initiative impacted local communities?
10. What feedback has been received from farmers regarding this initiative?
FREE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (SHS)
1. How many students have benefited from the Free SHS policy since its implementation?
2. What measures have been taken to ensure the quality of education under this policy?
3. How is the Free SHS policy funded and sustained?
4. What challenges have been faced in implementing this policy?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. How has the Free SHS policy impacted the enrollment rates in senior high schools?
7. What feedback has been received from students and parents regarding this policy?
8. How is the government ensuring that all regions benefit equally from the Free SHS policy?
9. What is the long-term plan for maintaining and improving the Free SHS policy?
10. How has the Free SHS policy impacted the education sector in Ghana?
REDUCTION IN ELECTRICITY TARIFFS
1. How has the government reduced electricity tariffs since taking office?
2. What measures have been taken to ensure the affordability of electricity for all citizens?
3. How has the reduction in electricity tariffs impacted households and businesses?
4. What challenges have been faced in reducing electricity tariffs?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. How is the government ensuring the sustainability of reduced electricity tariffs?
7. What feedback has been received from citizens regarding the reduction in electricity tariffs?
8. How is the government balancing the need for affordable electricity with the financial sustainability of the electricity sector?
9. How has the reduction in electricity tariffs impacted the overall economy?
10. What is the long-term plan for maintaining and further reducing electricity tariffs?
ONE CONSTITUENCY, ONE MILLION DOLLARS
1. How has the One Constituency, One Million Dollars initiative been implemented?
2. What projects have been funded under this initiative?
3. How has the initiative impacted local communities?
4. What challenges have been faced in implementing this initiative?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. How is the government ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of funds under this initiative?
7. What feedback has been received from local communities regarding this initiative?
8. How is the government ensuring that all constituencies benefit equally from this initiative?
9. What is the long-term plan for maintaining and expanding the One Constituency, One Million Dollars initiative?
10. How has the initiative contributed to local development and economic growth?
TRANSITION FROM TAXATION TO PRODUCTION
1. How has the government shifted the economy from reliance on taxes to production?
2. What measures have been taken to support and encourage production in various sectors?
3. How has the transition from taxation to production impacted the overall economy?
4. What challenges have been faced in implementing this transition?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. What specific policies have been implemented to support the transition from taxation to production?
7. How is the government ensuring that all sectors benefit equally from this transition?
8. What feedback has been received from businesses and industries regarding this transition?
9. How has the transition from taxation to production impacted job creation and economic growth?
10. What is the long-term plan for sustaining and expanding the focus on production over taxation?
BANKING SECTOR COLLAPSE
1. What measures were taken to prevent the collapse of banks and financial institutions?
2. How has the government addressed the impact of the banking sector collapse on the economy?
3. What steps have been taken to protect depositors and investors affected by the collapse?
4. How is the government ensuring accountability for those responsible for the banking sector collapse?
5. What regulatory reforms have been implemented to prevent future collapses?
6. How has the collapse of the banking sector impacted job losses and economic stability?
7. What support has been provided to affected individuals and businesses?
8. How is the government rebuilding confidence in the banking sector?
9. What feedback has been received from stakeholders regarding the government’s response to the banking sector collapse?
10. What is the long-term plan for ensuring the stability and growth of the banking sector?
FINANCIAL MALFEASANCE AND CORRUPTION
1. How has the government addressed the issue of financial malfeasance and corruption?
2. What measures have been taken to ensure transparency and accountability in government dealings?
3. How is the government investigating and prosecuting cases of financial malfeasance and corruption?
4. What challenges have been faced in combating financial malfeasance and corruption?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. What specific policies have been implemented to prevent financial malfeasance and corruption?
7. How is the government ensuring that all sectors benefit equally from anti-corruption efforts?
8. What feedback has been received from citizens regarding the government’s anti-corruption efforts?
9. How has the government’s approach to combating financial malfeasance and corruption impacted the overall economy?
10. What is the long-term plan for sustaining and expanding anti-corruption efforts?
OPAQUE DEALS
1. How is the government ensuring transparency in government deals and contracts?
2. What measures have been taken to address concerns about opaque deals?
3. How is the government investigating and addressing allegations of opaque deals?
4. What challenges have been faced in ensuring transparency in government deals?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. What specific policies have been implemented to prevent opaque deals?
7. How is the government ensuring that all sectors benefit equally from transparency efforts?
8. What feedback has been received from citizens regarding the government’s transparency efforts?
9. How has the government’s approach to ensuring transparency in deals impacted the overall economy?
10. What is the long-term plan for sustaining and expanding transparency efforts in government deals?
INFLATION AND COST OF LIVING
1. How has the government addressed the issue of inflation and rising cost of living?
2. What measures have been taken to reduce inflation and make life more affordable for citizens?
3. How has the government’s approach to inflation impacted households and businesses?
4. What challenges have been faced in addressing inflation and cost of living?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. What specific policies have been implemented to combat inflation?
7. How is the government ensuring that all sectors benefit equally from anti-inflation efforts?
8. What feedback has been received from citizens regarding the government’s efforts to reduce the cost of living?
9. How has the government’s approach to inflation and cost of living impacted the overall economy?
10. What is the long-term plan for sustaining and expanding efforts to reduce inflation and the cost of living?
UNEMPLOYMENT
1. How has the government addressed the issue of high unemployment rates, especially among the youth?
2. What measures have been taken to create jobs and reduce unemployment?
3. How has the government’s approach to unemployment impacted job creation and economic growth?
4. What challenges have been faced in addressing unemployment?
5. How is the government addressing these challenges?
6. What specific policies have been implemented to combat unemployment?
7. How is the government ensuring that all sectors benefit equally from job creation efforts?
8. What feedback has been received from citizens regarding the government’s efforts to reduce unemployment?
9. How has the government’s approach to unemployment impacted the overall economy?
10. What is the long-term plan for sustaining and expanding efforts to reduce unemployment?
Concluding Message to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Dear Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,
As Ghanaians seek to hold their leaders accountable for the promises made and the performance delivered, it is essential to address the questions and concerns posed to you regarding the economic challenges and initiatives undertaken during the Akufo-Addo NPP administration. Criticizing the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, who has been in government for only about six weeks, diverts attention from the pressing issues at hand.
In the spirit of transparency and accountability, it is crucial to provide comprehensive answers to the questions raised before engaging in further criticisms of any other administration. The people of Ghana deserve clarity and assurance that their leaders are addressing their concerns with integrity and dedication.
As Chinua Achebe once said, “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” It is time to demonstrate this integrity by addressing the queries posed to you.
Fusaini Isah’s Dogomba Wise Proverb reminds us, “A man does not abandon his old firewood until he has gathered new firewood.” Let us address the old challenges before shifting our focus to new ones.
The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 12:1, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Embracing these questions as an opportunity for reflection and growth is the path to true leadership.
Finally, as a general reminder, “Accountability breeds responsibility.” Addressing these questions head-on will not only demonstrate your commitment to the people of Ghana but also pave the way for a more transparent and accountable government.
We look forward to your responses and a productive dialogue that prioritizes the welfare and development of our beloved nation.
Sincerely,
Retired Senior Citizen
Teshie-Nungua
On behalf of all molested and traumatized Senior Citizens of Ghana
024-414-0626
