Gov’t on track to repairing economy – Stephen Ntim
The National Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ayesu Ntim has said the government is on track to finding solutions to the country’s current economic difficulties.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is poised to lend Ghana $3 billion as the African nation grapples with its worst economic crisis in a generation.
Ghana’s determination not to seek the fund’s help for a 17th time crumbled in July after soaring inflation spurred widespread street protests.
Addressing his maiden press conference since assuming the chairmanship position of the NPP in July 2022, in Accra on Tuesday to respond to the NDC’s so-called True State of the Nation Address, Mr. Ntim conceded that the party is not particularly happy about the level of inflation today which has affected the economy, but he added that it is a global problem.
“We are finding solutions to our current economic difficulties. We shall fix the economy. We have done it before in 2001 and 2017; we will fix the economy again. We did what needed to be done to save lives; now we are tackling the economy, and with the kind support of our hardworking citizens, we shall fix this one too.”
Further Mr. Ntim, reaffirmed that the current crippling economic crisis is due to the impact of Covid-19 and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine War and not the incompetence of the economic management team as propagated by the opposition National Democratic Congress.
“The plain truth is that this government has managed the economy diligently and well. The hardships we are experiencing in Ghana are being experienced everywhere because of the Covid-19 pandemic and
the Russia-Ukraine War. Workers in some of the world’s biggest economies are demanding salary increases due to historic global inflation.
“It is happening in—the United Kingdom, France and Germany. In the United Kingdom, I was told a couple of weeks ago that they had to ration vegetables and cooking oil. Can you imagine rationing pepper in Ghana? The Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, confirmed the impact of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War on the United States economy and how difficult the effort to rebuild has been.”
He also drew comparisons between the NDC and the NPP by way of performance between 2013 – 2019, explaining that before Covid-19 and the War, the NPP government recorded an impressive 7 percent average GDP growth for three fiscal years (2017-2019).
“Had Covid-19 not happened, Ghana’s economy would have continued to grow into 2020, and the story of Ghana’s economy today would not be one of hardship but of growth and prosperity.
The NDC-Mahama administration performed poorly. Between 2013 to 2016, the NDC returned a mournful 3.9 percent average growth. GDP declined consistently over that period (2013-2016). Somehow, those who could not manage Ghana’s economy in a relatively stable global economic environment suddenly claim they have magic wand to turn the fortunes of Ghana around in this volatile global economy.”
On the size of government’s ministers, Mr. Ntim indicated that it is not true that the government has ignored calls to reduce its size. “Instead, the government has been listening to Ghanaians, establishing a more robust control mechanism to manage expenditure while maintaining a dynamic team of ministers and appointees to deliver on its mandate.”
He also urged the rank and file of the NPP to arise and mobilise behind the government to defeat the onslaught of the NDC propaganda.
Chairman Ntim also advised the NDC to desist from the habit and strategy of deceit in its quest for power. To him, such methods are often short-term but have long-term ramifications for democracy, public confidence, and, not least, the global perception and embrace of the country.
The ruling NPP led by its leader, President Nana Akufo-Addo was awarded a second four-year term in office in December 2020 election, following a tightly contested vote against his predecessor and old rival John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress.
The NPP has alternated in power with the NDC since 1992, giving Ghana a reputation as a robust democracy in an unstable region where election disputes in December 2020 prompted fears of a democratic backslide.
