For Ghanaians, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by former President John Dramani Mahama was a difficult memory to erase.
He offered extreme poor governance, with each government sector facing its own unique challenges. The energy sector was in serious crisis (plucked the country into Dumsor for close to 4 years), the economy recorded the lowest growth of 3.4%, while he reversed agricultural growth to around 2.5%, education in the mess and a number of other areas.
The economy was mishandled by former President John Mahama when he introduced multiple taxes, resulting in untold hardships for Ghanaians. The inflation rate was at 15.4%, and reversed the GDP to an incredible $40 billion as of October 2016 having inherited a GDP of $47 billion in 2011. The exchange rate was around GHC1.65 to 1 U.S Dollar in 2011, but former President Mahama left the exchange rate at around GHC4.35 to 1 US Dollar by December 2016. Ghanaians experienced all these during the time when there was no coronavirus outbreak globally.
The good people of this country were met with the most unpleasant responses when civil and public servants were calling for improved service conditions and allowances, and doctors embarked on strike action. Their concerns were disregarded and a response of ‘yɛntie obiaa’ was given.
Ghanaians can never forget the state assets, including Merchant Bank Ghana Limited now Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) and the Nyinahini Bauxite concession he used his influence to cut corners for his brother, Ibrahim Mahama Exton Cubic Group Limited to illegally acquire on August 14, 2013 in the Atwima Mponua District of Ashanti Region. Article 268 Clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution requires Parliament to ratify this, but it was not done.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been a complete failure. All that they are condemning today and making it look bad in the eyes of the populace, attempted but failed such as the Free SHS, Mobile Money Interoperability, Banking and Financial System Reforms, Infrastructural developments, Supply of Tablets to SHS Students to mention a few. Allegations of corruption are a manifestation of his administration.
The former President Mahama government awarded a contract to Roland Agambire’s RLG Communications Ltd. Despite the cost of GHC51,257.500 to provide 103,181 Laptops to schools, only 90,448 were supplied, leaving 12,733 pieces left. They failed to supply 12,733 Laptops as part of the general agreement, which cost the nation an amount of GHC6, 366,875. Even when those Laptops were supplied, they were not up to the specifications because instead of 15.7-inch screen laptops with high specs or memory, the company supplied the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations 10.1-inch screen laptops with lower memory.
The majority of people, including those with refreshing and discerning minds, have witnessed and can testify to the achievements and successes choked by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and cannot afford the cost of bringing back former President John Mahama to take the country 20 years backwards.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the only presidential candidate who has the “bold solutions for Ghana’s future” and he has proven beyond reasonable doubt having been instrumental in implementing some of the policies of the government of the day.
JS, Accra
joeinfotech@yahoo.co.uk