Akufo Addo should be held accountable for his mishandling of the economy, not Bawumia – Richard Ahiagbah

The Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Richard Ahiagbah has said the Vice president and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia can not be blamed for the economic crisis in the country.

He said, if there should be any blame for the difficulties in the country, the president should be held accountable not the vice president.

Richard Ahiagbah’s reaction follows the former president, John Dramani Mahama’s statement in New Year message delivered on January 3 that Bawumia’s economic mismanagement and corruption and Akufo-Addo’s poor governance and leadership have led to a significant decline in living standards for the ordinary Ghanaian.

“The soaring prices of essential goods, high levels of unemployment and the struggles of small businesses are a testament to the government’s failure to address the people’s needs. Many of you have felt the impact of these challenges in your daily lives. Whether it is struggling to put food on the table, finding a job to support your family, or witnessing the erosion of our national pride due to corruption and mismanagement. My brothers and sisters, I feel your pain, your despair,” The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer said.

“… while they sought to squeeze the last blood from Ghanaians through increased taxes, they have increased the money allocated to the office of the President from GHC1.4 billion to over GHC2 billion. A clear case of asking the people to tighten their belts while the President loosens his. Bawumia’s economic mismanagement and corruption and Akufo-Addo’s poor governance and leadership have led to a significant decline in living standards for the ordinary Ghanaian,” Mr. Mahama stated.

“The NPP has brought economic calamity on us. This is not just a matter of Mahama saying so. We all now know that drastic action is needed to reset our nation on the right path. That process must start in earnest with the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections,” he urged.

Reacting to this, Richard Ahiagbah stated that the former president is confused to distinguish the role of Vice President and President.

“Former President Mahama’s New Year Message was desperate, uninspiring, and unconvincing. The former President came off rusty because couldn’t or refused to distinguish the role of Vice President and President. It is factually inaccurate to say Bawumia’s economic mismanagement. Bawumia is not the President. The other inaccuracy is the claim that this economy has been mismanaged. That view amounts to a misrepresentation of the facts.” He said in a statement issued on his X account.

He explained that the economic difficulties in the country are caused by the grave impact of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War.

Adding that the global economy is struggling due to the grave impact of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War.

“JM must tell Ghanaians the truth about the cause or causes of the present economic difficulties. The fact is that the global economy is struggling due to the grave impact of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War. These are facts that the former President should not have glossed over because understanding the problem is part of the solution.. Perhaps it is time to hang it up Sir!” He added.