National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi has said that former President John Mahama sought an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout in 2014 because he did not have the kind of resources available to the Akufo-Addo administration.
He contends that the Government’s resort to an IMF bailout even after receiving record revenues is as a result of mismanagement and marks an indefensible new low in Ghana’s Governance.
“The attempt by NPP communicators to equalize and rationalize the decision of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to go for an IMF bailout is pathetic and ridiculous to say the least. This is particularly so given the kind of negative commentary that President Akufo-Addo, his Vice, Alhaji Bawumia and other leading figures of the NPP have made about IMF programs in time past.
If the erstwhile NDC/Mahama administration had revenue inflows of over US$5 billion to manage “Dumsor”, (a crisis that was largely inherited) and the external shocks we suffered in 2015 like this NPP government had to manage COVID-19; If the erstwhile NDC/Mahama government had three (3) oil fields with an average daily production capacity of 170,000 barrels and an average international market price of $80 per barrel like the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has had in the last five (5) years; I dare say, that there would not have been any need for Ghana to have joined an IMF program in the year 2015,” he argued.
Government communicators have explained that the need for an IMF program is as a result of the impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine Crisis. But Sammy Gyamfi says that COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine Crisis cannot be blamed.
“It is indisputable that the current Akufo-Addo/Bawumia-NPP government is the most resourced government in Ghana’s history. They have had access to more oil revenues, tax revenues and borrowed funds than any government in history. In all, they have had access to over GHS500 billion in total revenue as compared to the about GHS200 billion that accrued to the NDC/Mahama government.
They are left with no other choice than to seek an IMF bailout now because they have wasted all the unprecedented revenues that have accrued to them on consumption, profligacy and corruption. Today, posterity has exposed their hypocrisy, deceitfulness, recklessness and emptiness. The least they can do under the circumstances is to burry their arrogance, swallow their pride, accept responsibility for the mess they have created, accept that they have been useless in the manner they have mismanaged the economy and apologize for the excruciating hardships they continue to impose on the Ghanaian people,” he continued.
The decision by Government to seek help from the International Monetary Fund has sparked debate in the media, especially on social media. While Government supporters have sought to justify the move, opponents have disagreed.
Source: Ghanaweb.com
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This is a shame. Instead of them to come together to find solutions for this country in this difficult economic situation worldwide, they are rather debating about Mahama IMF vs Akkufo Addo IMF. Ghana is deeply in a ***barred word*** with these kind of politicians.
Sammy Gyimfo) don’t think because of NPP going to IMF so you’re coming to power in 2025 to create loot and share ok? I decree like the Jews said never again to ndc. Majority of Ghanaians know your incompetency and they will NOT vote for you to take us ten years back again. NDC YAAMUTU NDC YAAMUTU NDC YAAMUTU NDC YAAMUTU NDC YAAMUTU NDC YAAMUTU
The thing is in Ghana, due to dishonesty, politics and dirty propaganda, people are downplaying the impact of Covid-19 and Russia Ukraine ward. Covid-19 and Russia Ukraine war have turned the world’s economy on its knees. Here in UK, the cost of weekly household shopping has increased by at least £50-70. A litre of Diesel used to be 0.89P but now sells at £2 per litre. Energy bills have been increased drastically as well as council tax and water bills. A lot of people are now depending on food banks just to survive the hit. Salaries/wages however remain the same. I do not condone flamboyant/extravagant lifestyle from people in power but the simple truth is THE WORLD IS GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT PHASE AT PRESENT. The sad thing is my people are believing the propaganda from Sammy Gyamfi and his NDC. This is a very bad omen for Ghana. Who in this world doesn’t know the world is in crises?
Woe betides this ***barred word*** ***barred word*** if they win back power and the tabs in Ghana did not flow milk and honey.
Well said Seidu. We are tired of this cheap politics. It is too elementary.
Mahama never spent on free SHS,Tvet, free water and electricity. Also he did not experience pandemic which has sent shivers down the spine of world leading economies like USA,Britain,France, Japan ,Germany, Italy etc. Please we do not have short memory as your leader thinks. Come 2024 your party NDC is not the alternative. If you think your party is the alternative bring your party's programs and policies that will surpass the NPP's one.