EIU Report Links Corruption, cronyism To Akufo Addo’s 123 ministers

The latest report by the UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has noted that corruption and cronyism remains “endemic” In Ghana currently, and that this was the motivation for the record-breaking 123 ministers appointed by President Akufo Addo.

“Corruption and cronyism in the public sector remain endemic, however. Public appointments are often made on the basis of party affiliation. This is one explanation for the bloated government (which comprises 123 ministers),” the freshly released EIU report stated.

The report also noted that the government has created fewer opportunities at the lower strata of the society and this may cause resentment and general voter apathy in the coming December general elections.

“… there are fewer opportunities at the lower levels of politics, which may cause resentment among the party ranks and could depress voter turnout as members at the grass-roots level play a key role in local campaigning,” the report outlines.

The EIU report generally focused on the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Ghanaians economy and it concludes it may not turn out too rosy for the government as the economy will basically be struck by recession induced by the global effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The government, led by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), faces the challenge of seeking to contain fiscal pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the sharp drop in global oil prices while limiting the associated socioeconomic damage,” the EIU observed.

“Driven by falling oil prices and operational difficulties in some oilfields, the economy will contract by 1% in 2020. Real GDP growth will then rebound to an average of 5.7% a year in 2021-24, as the impact of the pandemic fades and oil prices and output both recover.”

Despite the socio-economic uncertainties posed by the pandemic, the EIU believes that it will be difficult for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to capitalise politically to win back the love of Ghanaians enough for a win in the December elections.

Essentially, the EIU thinks the battered image of the John Mahama-led NDC will make it a difficult sell in the elections as Ghanaians still think the governing NPP is a better custodian of the economy.

 “ We therefore expect Mr Akufo-Addo and the NPP to secure re-election. However, if the NDC can present a coherent challenge and hold the NPP to account on its unfulfilled campaign promises—such as faster progress on infrastructure development—the elections could be closely contested,” the EIU report said in what may dampen the hopes of the NDC.