The President of policy think tank, IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has disputed Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s assertion that the current government has improved the lives of Ghanaians compared to former President John Mahama’s tenure.
According to Franklin Cudjoe, data suggests that the opposite is true.
He pointed out that during former President John Mahama’s presidency, the exchange rate was relatively stable, hovering around 4 Cedis to the US dollar, whereas today it has skyrocketed to almost 14 Cedis to the dollar. This significant depreciation of the cedi has eroded the purchasing power of Ghanaians, making it difficult for them to afford basic necessities.
“But the data says and felt otherwise. John Mahama did not physically uproot money from my pocket oo and exchange rate hovered around 4 cedis to the dollar”
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, praised the accomplishments of the Akufo-Addo administration.
He explained that despite recent economic hurdles, the quality of life for Ghanaians has seen significant improvement over the past seven years, in contrast to the term of former President John Dramani Mahama.
Dr Bawumia pointed out the difficulties Ghanaians encountered during Mahama’s administration, including intermittent power supply, commonly known as “dumsor”, rising unemployment, tariff increases, and business failures.
However, the president for IMANI Africa disagreed. Franklin Cudjoe noted that close to 1 million people have been pushed into deeper poverty, contradicting the Vice President Dr. Bawumia’s claim of improved livelihoods. This increase in poverty levels is a clear indication that the current government’s economic policies have not been effective in improving the lives of Ghanaians.
While the government claims to have made significant progress in improving the economy, critics like Franklin Cudjoe argue that the data tells a different story.
“Today we are dealing with almost 14 cedis oo. Finally close to 1 million people have been plunged into deeper poverty” he lamented
By: Bright Yao Dzakah | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
