Richard Ahiagbah
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of failing to sustain efforts made by the past government towards economic recovery, given the party’s performance since it assumed power from 2025.
Addressing the media at the NPP’s headquarters in Accra yesterday, the Director of Communications of the party, Richard Ahiagbah, said the current policies of the NDC are reversing gains chalked under the NPP administration, given their promises in 2024 and their performance in government.
According to him, available data at the end of 2024 showed that Ghana’s economy was on a path of recovery, contrary to claims previously made by the NDC while in opposition, stressing that inflation had declined significantly from over 54 percent in December 2022 to mid-20 percent range, while GDP growth had rebounded to above 3 percent.
He also indicated that although the economy faced challenges in previous years, it had shown resilience, citing strong GDP growth between 2017 and 2019, as well as relative stability despite global shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The NPP maintains that the Mahama administration has not built on this recovery but has instead reversed key gains. To analyse the economy objectively, we must consider its state during the transition. Ghana’s macroeconomic indicators at the end of 2024 showed recovery from crisis to stabilisation.
“Inflation, which peaked above 54 percent in December 2022, declined steadily into the mid-20 percent range by 2024. This decline was driven by tighter monetary policy, exchange-rate stability, and improved fiscal discipline. Unemployment was also decreasing and the cost of living trended downward,” he stated.
The NPP stated that the impact of governance should be measured not only by macroeconomic indicators but by improvements in citizens’ welfare, citing a growing gap existing between economic data and the lived experiences of ordinary Ghanaians, particularly in critical sectors such as agriculture, employment, and energy.
On the cocoa sector, the Director of Communications also accused the government of mismanaging an opportunity to benefit farmers during a period of high global prices, alleging that delays in securing favourable forward contracts led to losses which resulted in a producer price reduction that significantly affected farmers’ incomes.
This, he said, contradicts earlier promises by the NDC to increase payments to cocoa farmers, while criticising the government’s handling of youth employment and its flagship 24-Hour Economy policy that is yet to translate into meaningful job creation.
Mr. Ahiagbah mentioned that unemployment and underemployment remain high, particularly among graduates, and questioned claims by President Mahama during the State of the Nation’s address that over one million jobs has been created, though official data from the Ghana Statistical Service indicated that about 300,000 jobs has rather been created.
While acknowledging global factors, he stated that the recent increase in fuel prices has resulted in increased transport and food costs, compounding economic hardship, and criticised government for failing to implement effective measures to cushion Ghanaians from such shocks.
Touching on illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’, the NPP said enforcement to prevent individuals from mining in water bodies has weakened, incidents of environmental degradation and water pollution have also increased despite earlier criticisms by the NDC to fight illegal mining while in opposition.
The party pointed to growing tensions between the government and organised labour, citing strikes by various public sector unions, warning that strained labour relations could undermine service delivery and administrative efficiency.
Mr. Ahiagbah further raised concerns about alleged conflicts of interest involving individuals close to the President, arguing that perceptions of conflict of interest among individuals associated to him in private life and performing certain tasks in public office could erode public trust even in the absence of any proven wrongdoing.
The NPP maintained that although the Mahama administration inherited an economy on the path to recovery, its management has led to declining living standards, citing reduced incomes for farmers, persistent youth unemployment, and rising cost of living as evidence of what it described as a failure to deliver on campaign promises.
“The NDC promised a 24-Hour Economy that would create jobs; instead, Ghanaians now endure a 24-hour struggle to survive. The NDC promised job opportunities, but the reality is high youth unemployment and frustrated graduates. There is no clear policy delivering jobs for the youth. The youth deserve more than promises, they deserve real jobs,” he added.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah
