Politics

Mahama calls for national dialogue over government’s recent economic crisis

Published

8 months ago

August 9, 2022

Majesty

Former President John Dramani Mahama wants an immediate national dialogue to tackle Ghana’s worsening fiscal situation, leading to the country’s economic downgrade by international rating agencies.

He particularly blamed the Akufo-Addo government for doing too little to salvage the ailing economy and bring reprieve to suffering Ghanaians.

His comments come on the heels of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) recent downgrade of Ghana’s foreign and local credit ratings from B-B’ to CCC+C with a negative economic outlook.

According to S&P, the downgrade was due to intensifying financing and external pressures on the economy.

In a statement, John Mahama said, “there appears to be no end to the problems with the Ghanaian economy, with the recent downgrade to CCC+/C junk status”.

Mr. Mahama said the only remedy is for a consultative discussion among relevant stakeholders to reverse what has become a worrying trend.

“A national dialogue on the economy, bringing some of our best brains together, will serve us well, even as we prepare for debt restructuring and negotiation of an IMF programme.”

He said the unstable currency and the recent mid-year budget review, do not repose any confidence in the economy.

“The steep depreciation of the Ghana Cedi in recent days, clearly shows that the mid-year review of the 2022 budget failed to win back the confidence of the investor community and the Ghanaian public.”

“Unfortunately, no credible remedial plans have been put forward by the government to salvage the [ailing] economy”, John Mahama wrote on Facebook.

https://web.facebook.com/JDMahama/posts/606268997521503

Before S&P’s downgrade, Fitch had already downgraded Ghana’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘B-‘ from ‘B’ and handed it a negative outlook.

Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) also downgraded Ghana’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings to Caa1 from B3 and changed the outlook to stable from negative.

The Finance Ministry has, already, expressed disappointment at the credit rating agency’s decision.

It says despite the impact of global external shocks on the economy, government has taken some proactive measures to revive the economy.

It said some key revenue and expenditure measures, including the 30% cut in discretionary expenditures, have been implemented.

Have confidence – Nana Addo appeals

But President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is confident Ghana’s economy will bounce back, despite recent challenges.

Nana Akufo-Addo said, although he admits times are difficult, the economic situation of the country will turn around shortly.

“Yes, the difficulties are there, and I want to minimize the difficulties that are affecting the lives of ordinary people in a very negative way. What I am saying to the people of Ghana is that, they should continue to have confidence,” the President said.

Source: citinewsroom.com

Politics

If Akufo-Addo does not sign the anti-LGBT Bill, it will be politically suicide – Sam George

Published

12 hours ago

March 29, 2023

Majesty

If Akufo-Addo does not sign the anti-LGBT Bill, it will be politically suicide - Sam George

Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram, says it would be politically suicidal for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo not to sign the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill after Parliament passes it.

According to the MP, if the President does not assent to the bill, also known as the Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, two-thirds of members of Parliament must vote in favour of the bill in order for it to become law.

Samuel George, speaking on Eyewitness News, stated that failure to approve the bill would be an indictment on the government.

“The President will be requested by Parliament to sign the bill into law. It will be politically suicidal, and it will mark the sound of a dead mill on his abysmal government if he said he was not going to sign that bill into law. That will be the beginning of the collapse of his government and his legacy. And so I don’t want to have that thought because I think that his advisers and handlers will advise him accordingly,” the Ningo Prampram MP said.

During a joint press conference with US Vice President Kamala Harris at the Jubilee House on Monday, President Akufo-Addo revealed that his government intervened to modify the current anti-LGBTQ Bill.

Kamala Harris also attempted to dismiss Ghana’s efforts to pass an anti-LGBTQ bill.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, was outraged by the comments and called Akufo-Addo and Kamala Harris undemocratic.

“As the Vice President of the USA, Kamala Harris did yesterday, these things should not be tolerated, that is undemocratic. What is democracy? That someone should have to dictate to me what is good and what is bad? Unheard of, because we have decided to devalue ourselves and go begging? Come on, we have more than enough. God has created more than enough for every person, the Bill will be passed,” Bagbin added.

Source: citinewsroom.com

Politics

Mahama and three other NDC flagbearer candidates to be vetted next week

Published

6 days ago

March 24, 2023

Majesty

Mahama and three other NDC flagbearer candidates to be vetted next week

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is preparing for the vetting of its flagbearer candidates, which is scheduled for March 28-29 in Accra.

During a press conference on Thursday, the party’s election committee led by Kakra Essamuah revealed this.

“I think this has been a wonderful experience. They came to file their nominations, and you can see that it was an exciting ceremony. The next step is the vetting; the presidential will take place on Tuesday, and the parliamentary vetting will be the next two weeks, probably the first week of April. We are working towards that,” he said.

A vetting committee will question the four candidates’ qualifications, ideologies, and party vision.

Once the committee completes its vetting, the aspirants may or may not appear on the ballot box on the day of the primaries, May 13, 2023.

The elections committee also stated that plans are still being made to hold elections in the 27 constituencies that were put on hold due to the opening of nominations for parliamentary primaries.

The NDC has closed the nomination period for all flagbearer candidates seeking to lead the party.

Former President John Dramani Mahama, former Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu, and businessman Ernest Kwaku Kobeah are the four aspirants who have successfully filed their nominations.

Source: citinewsroom.com

Politics

Mahama submits nomination form to run for NDC flagbearer

Published

1 week ago

March 22, 2023

Majesty

Mahama submits nomination form to run for NDC flagbearer

Former President John Dramani Mahama has officially filed his nomination form to run for the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress.

His forms were submitted on his behalf by a team led by Professor Joshua Alabi, the NDC’s Campaign Manager for the 2020 general elections.

While filling out the forms, Prof. Alabi urged NDC delegates to give John Dramani Mahama their full support as the party’s flagbearer.

337160639 228572329669971 1207156670380288114 n — Mahama submits nomination form to run for NDC flagbearer

Speaking to the media after the exercise, Prof. Joshua Alabi stressed that “Our party is firmly united behind John Dramani Mahama. 2024 will not be easy, but everyone and the country keep saying that the NDC is returning, but you know, if you don’t protect what belongs to you, the thief will come for it, so we are not going to sleep even though the general belief is that the NDC is returning.”

“We will work hard to ensure a one-touch victory,” Mr Alabi assured.

Former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Kwabena Duffuor, Ernest Krobeah Asante, and Kojo Bonsu are also running.

Source: citinewsroom.com