A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Wonder Madilo, says while his party welcomes criticism, it views some recent comments from the opposition as deliberately pessimistic and misleading.
Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on Monday, March 2, Mr Madilo argued that attempts to paint a picture that nothing is improving in the country are unfair and politically motivated.
“We appreciate their criticisms, but some of the criticism we see it as being pessimistic. It’s not even about criticism any longer,” he stated.
His comments come amid renewed political exchanges ahead of the State of the Nation Address, with both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) trading arguments over the state of the economy.
According to Mr Madilo, even before the address was delivered, the opposition had already issued its own counter-position.
“Before even the State of the Nation Address was put out, they had already put out their own statement and said they were going to give the state of the nation address. That’s within their right to do. But to be pessimistic and create the impression that nothing is happening, I think it’s neither here nor there,” he said.
He maintained that the country has seen measurable progress, particularly in economic indicators. Mr Madilo cited GDP growth, noting that when the previous administration left office, the country’s Gross Domestic Product stood at about $83 billion.
“Today we have crossed the 100 billion mark ,111 billion worth of our GDP today. So let’s nobody deceive us,” he stressed.
On fuel prices, he questioned critics who, in his view, refuse to acknowledge reductions at the pumps.
“Would he also deny that fuel prices from almost 16 per gallon is going down to now 10.7? Would you dispute that one too?” he quizzed.
Mr Madilo also defended the government’s tax policy direction, criticising the previous administration for introducing levies such as the E-Levy, betting tax, emission tax and COVID-19 levy, despite campaigning on a promise of production over taxation.
“In one year of the government, government took that burden away from Ghanaians. In essence, put about 6 billion in the hands of Ghanaians to do business,” he argued.
He rejected suggestions that recent economic improvements are simply the result of mopping up excess liquidity from the market. Instead, he attributed the changes to deliberate policy interventions and a better economic environment.
Touching on inflation, he explained that food prices are easing partly due to increased supply on the market.
“For many years in this country, this time we are seeing food glut. It’s not a good sign. But one of the things about food glut is that there’s so much on the market. And once there’s so much on the market, the prices will go down,” he said.
Mr Madilo further referenced comments made by former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in London, where he admitted that the previous administration had made some errors.
In his view, acknowledging past challenges is necessary for national progress.
“In one breath, they are only candidates now. And outgoing president has admitted that there were challenges. Why are the communicators not accepting some of those, so we can make progress?” he asked.
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