The Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticised the past Akufo-Addo-led New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration over its “mismanagement” of the economy.
Mr. Ablakwa said the NPP government orchestrated a cycle of fiscal recklessness that deprived Ghanaians of meaningful development, used state resources for corrupt activities and failed to prioritize the real needs of the citizenry.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament after the mid-year budget review presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on Thursday, July 24, the Foreign Minister said the eight years under President Akufo-Addo and his Vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was characterised by what he termed as “create, loot and share”.
“They prefer to run this economy like a Ponzi scheme, and they only took the resources of this country to engage in great loot and share in all kinds of dubious, nefarious expenditures that did not improve the welfare of the people, and that is why they were punished at the polls,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa praised the direction of President John Dramani Mahama and the current administration, noting that the government’s policies are already giving Ghanaians a renewed sense of hope and purpose.
He expressed confidence in the leadership of Dr. Ato Forson, describing the budget presentation as proof that the country is back on track.
According to him, the NDC government is committed to reversing the economic hardship inherited from the NPP and putting the welfare of Ghanaians at the centre of national planning and development.
“Today we see hope. Today we experience a different Ghana, a Ghana where the managers of the economy are putting the people first and demonstrating that when you care for the people, when you love the country, you can, even with little resources, even through a crisis, ensure that the people’s lives and their livelihoods are improved,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
