A University of Ghana political scientist has challenged the Mahama administration’s messaging on economic inheritance.
Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato contends the government presents contradictory assessments when addressing domestic versus international audiences. His remarks follow Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson’s mid-year budget declaration that Ghana was “a crime scene” economically when the National Democratic Congress assumed power in January 2025.
Dr. Zaato specifically highlighted a perceived discrepancy during his July 26 appearance on TV3’s Key Points program. “When meeting the IMF, they praise the former government’s economic foundation, yet tell citizens they inherited nothing positive,” he stated. The academic referenced the administration’s dual narratives as evidence of inconsistent communication strategies regarding economic stewardship.
Finance Minister Forson defended the government’s position during his budget presentation, citing specific inherited challenges. He referenced a “weak financial sector with significant non-performing loans” and a “derailing IMF programme” as key issues inherited from the previous Akufo-Addo administration. The minister maintained President Mahama has initiated structural reforms yielding visible recovery signs.
This debate unfolds amid Ghana’s economic recalibration under its current NDC government. The administration faces competing pressures to acknowledge stabilization efforts while justifying its reform agenda. Dr. Zaato’s critique suggests the communication approach risks undermining policy credibility domestically, particularly as recovery indicators gradually emerge.