IN AN INTERVIEW conducted by the Nationaltymes.com, the former Information Minister under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, Madam Zita Benson, expressed skepticism over claims made by outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo regarding Ghana’s financial state.
Nana Addo reportedly stated that he is leaving $8 billion for the incoming administration of President-Elect, John Mahama after eight years in office.
According to Madam Benson, the figures presented by Nana Addo are inconsistent with the realities on the ground. She highlighted that in just four years of his previous tenure, President John Mahama left $6 billion for the incoming administration alongside significant infrastructural achievements across the country.
“Despite inheriting a relatively stable economy, Nana Addo’s administration has plunged the country into what can only be described as a ‘highly precarious condition’ (HPC) which qualifies the country to a category ‘A’ of Highly Poor Indebted Countries (HPIC),” she remarked.
Madam Benson also criticized the outgoing administration for failing to justify the massive loans contracted over its eight-year term. She questioned whether the loans were commensurate with tangible projects or infrastructure, noting a disconnect between the borrowed amounts and visible development.
“Nana Addo has left Ghana in a worse economic state, with debts higher than all previous administrations combined since independence,” she stated.
She further argued that while the outgoing president continues to boast of his achievements, the debt-to-project ratio paints a different picture. “He tickles himself, laughs and exhumes too much air,” she opined.
President-Elect John Mahama, widely endorsed by key dignitaries, is expected to tackle these challenges as he takes office in what has been described as an extraordinary inauguration ceremony. Many have expressed confidence in his ability to deliver on the country’s pressing issues.
Madam Benson’s remarks have sparked conversations about Ghana’s financial trajectory and the expectations from the new administration.
Source: Nationaltyme.com
