In a bold statement today, former President John Dramani Mahama claimed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government inherited profitable state enterprises and two newly discovered oil fields when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) handed over power in 2017. Mahama made this assertion during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto launch, where he presented a vision for Ghana’s future under an NDC administration.
“NDC Handed Over a Thriving Economy
Addressing a crowd of party supporters, dignitaries, and media representatives, Mahama emphasized that the NDC left behind a robust economy, characterized by thriving state enterprises and significant advancements in the oil sector. According to him, these achievements were pivotal in enhancing Ghana’s economic stability and should have paved the way for further growth under the NPP government.
“Most Ghanaian state enterprises were making profits when we handed them over to the NPP. We worked tirelessly to ensure that these enterprises contributed positively to the economy,” Mahama stated. “In addition, we handed the NPP two new oil fields, which significantly increased Ghana’s oil production and revenue. This was a major boost for the country’s economic prospects.”
Increased Oil Production and Revenue
Mahama further elaborated on the importance of the two new oil fields that the NDC discovered and developed before leaving office. He argued that these fields played a crucial role in increasing Ghana’s oil production capacity and boosting government revenue.
“The discovery and development of these oil fields were part of our strategic efforts to ensure that Ghana benefits from its natural resources,” Mahama said. “We laid the groundwork for these fields to become significant contributors to the nation’s economy, and the revenue generated from them was expected to support various developmental projects.”
Criticism of the NPP’s Economic Management
Mahama did not shy away from criticizing the NPP’s handling of the economy since taking over from the NDC. He accused the current administration of mismanaging the gains made during his tenure and failing to build on the foundation laid by his government.
“Despite inheriting profitable state enterprises and increased oil production, the NPP has not been able to sustain the momentum. Instead, we have seen a decline in economic performance, with some state enterprises struggling and others being sold off,” Mahama remarked.
A Vision for the Future
The former president used the opportunity to outline the NDC’s plan to revive the economy and restore the confidence of Ghanaians in state enterprises. He promised to introduce policies that would ensure transparency, efficiency, and profitability in the management of state-owned enterprises.
“As we launch our manifesto today, we present a vision that prioritizes economic growth, job creation, and the prudent management of our resources. We will rebuild Ghana’s economy and restore the pride of our state enterprises,” Mahama declared.
Conclusion
John Mahama’s statement at the NDC manifesto launch has set the tone for what promises to be a heated election campaign. As the political landscape in Ghana intensifies, the former president’s claims about the state of the economy when the NDC handed over power will likely become a central issue of debate. With the upcoming elections, Ghanaians will be closely watching how both the NDC and NPP address the challenges facing the nation and deliver on their promises.
