Haruna Idrissu Criticizes Akufo-Addo and Bawumia for Plunging Ghana’s Economy into Desperation with Vast Resources
The former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tamale South constituency in the Northern Region, Haruna Idrissu, has strongly condemned President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for causing severe economic challenges for Ghanaians.
Idrissu, speaking on JoyNews channel’s ‘The Pulse’ program, criticized the current government for failing to utilize the substantial resources available to them, despite being described as the most fortunate administration in terms of available resources in the 4th Republic.
He expressed disappointment over the government’s inability to avert the current economic hardship despite significant revenue, tax collections, donor support, and other sources of funds.
“It is biblical – to whom much is given, much is expected. With over 500 billion in additional funds, plus over 50 billion added to the Bank of Ghana, alongside revenues and resources like ESLA generating billions, the government had no excuse for the current crisis,” he remarked.
Idrissu emphasized that the government should not boast about road construction achievements when considering the vast resources at their disposal.
He mocked the government for accumulating significant debts and seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“With 900 billion Ghana cedis, the government could have transformed the country significantly. Instead, they introduced new terms like ‘haircut,’ ‘domestic debts,’ and ‘debt forgiveness.’
They have no justification for failure given the massive resources at their disposal,” Idrissu asserted. He dismissed external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict as excuses, pointing out that the government also benefited from global aid during these crises.
Idrissu also questioned the government’s failure to invest in the power sector, especially compared to former President John Mahama’s efforts.
He highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s acknowledgment of the previous government’s success in resolving power challenges and criticized the NPP’s lack of progress in enhancing Ghana’s power generation capacity.
Addressing various issues and reflecting on the NDC’s recently launched 2024 manifesto, Idrissu highlighted the party’s achievements in rural electrification and decentralization, which he claimed significantly contributed to economic development in the country.
He defended the NDC’s record, citing the impact of their policies on growth and development across Ghana. Idrissu concluded by sharing a Dagomba proverb, emphasizing the need to assess an administration’s true worth over time.
He urged the government to make better use of the resources available to address the country’s needs effectively.