Kofi Bentil Credits DDEP for Economic Calm Under Ato Forson, Questions Minister’s Crisis Readiness

Lawyer and Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, has stirred fresh debate on Ghana’s economic management by attributing the current stability under Finance Minister Dr. Ato Forson to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) introduced by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. In his assessment, the calmness observed in the economy since Dr. Forson assumed office is not necessarily a reflection of new policies but rather the lingering effects of the debt restructuring exercise implemented under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and then-Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. His comments have reignited conversations about credit, legacy, and the true test of leadership in Ghana’s economic landscape.

According to Kofi Bentil, Dr. Ato Forson has not yet been confronted with significant economic turbulence since taking over the Finance Ministry. He argued that the relative peace in the markets and the absence of major shocks have created an environment where the current minister appears steady, but this calm is rooted in the groundwork laid by the DDEP. The outspoken lawyer suggested that the programme absorbed much of the immediate pressure that would otherwise have challenged the new administration, giving the minister breathing room that may not last indefinitely.

Bentil further predicted that Dr. Forson would eventually face a period where his performance would be measured directly against that of Dr. Bawumia, whom he described as possessing an impressive record spanning roughly two decades in government. He posed a pointed rhetorical question about what political mess Dr. Bawumia had created, pushing back against critics of the former Vice President. In his view, the comparison between the two figures will become unavoidable as the months unfold, and the true measure of Dr. Forson’s competence will emerge only when he confronts a genuine crisis.

Highlighting Dr. Bawumia’s contributions, Kofi Bentil noted that successive governments dating back to former President John Agyekum Kufuor had attempted to establish a national identification system, but it was Dr. Bawumia who played a pivotal role in making the Ghana Card a reality. He also pointed to the proposed credit-scoring system championed by Dr. Bawumia, explaining that it could enable Ghanaians under the age of 40 to qualify for mortgages and achieve home ownership. These remarks framed the former Vice President as a transformative figure whose digitalization agenda continues to shape the country’s economic infrastructure.

Looking ahead, Bentil indicated that within the next two years, the records of both administrations would be subjected to close scrutiny, and Dr. Forson’s ability to steer the economy through a serious crisis would become clear. His metaphorical challenge—that Ghanaians will soon see what kind of sailor Dr. Forson is when he faces a real storm—serves as a reminder that economic management is ultimately tested in adversity. As the debate over credit and competence continues, the coming months are likely to define how history judges both the DDEP’s legacy and the current Finance Minister’s leadership.