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

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John Mahama

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

Bawumia is not under pressure to announce running mate

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Dan Kwaku Botwe, the Campaign Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, has stated that the party’s flagbearer, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, is not facing any pressure to announce his running mate. Dr. Bawumia has faced criticism for the prolonged delay in announcing his running mate, despite requesting additional time from the National Council of the party. Addressing journalists in Kumasi, Dan Botwe assured that the flagbearer would announce his desired candidate at the right time. ‘We have not mentioned a particular candidate and no such discussion has come up but finding a running mate has never been our problem. It has never been a contentious issue for us.”

Dan Kwaku Botwe, the Campaign Chairman for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 elections, has claimed that the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, is under no pressure to select his running partner.

Dr. Bawumia has faced criticism for the extended delay in naming his running mate, despite asking for further time from the party’s National Council.

Addressing the media in Kumasi, Dan Botwe stated that the flagbearer would disclose his preferred candidate at the appropriate time.

‘We haven’t specified a specific candidate, and no such conversation has occurred, but finding a running mate has never been an issue. It has never been a controversial subject for us.”

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Former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi considered a likely contender for the Ejisu by-election

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However, he has been sensitive to the constituency's grief over the unexpected death of the Deputy Finance Minister. Mr. Nyantakyi, speaking at the opening of the New Patriotic Party's Ashanti Regional Campaign team in Kumasi, suggested gently that he intends to run for parliament once the official timeline is revealed. He emphasised his strong links to the constituency and his eligibility to run, while also recognising the need of honouring the late MP's grieving time.

Following the untimely death of John Ampontuah Kumah, Member of Parliament for the Ejisu Constituency, the focus is shifting to probable contenders for the empty parliamentary seat.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), is one significant figure to emerge.

Mr Nyantakyi has not ruled out contesting the upcoming by-election.

However, he has been sensitive to the constituency’s grief over the unexpected death of the Deputy Finance Minister.

Mr Nyantakyi, speaking at the opening of the New Patriotic Party’s Ashanti Regional Campaign team in Kumasi, suggested gently that he intends to run for parliament once the official timeline is revealed.

He emphasised his strong links to the constituency and his eligibility to run, while also recognising the need of honouring the late MP’s grieving time.

“The Ejisu by-election will definitely come on, but the timetable has not been published yet so we don’t know those who want to contest. Since I come from there and I have the right to contest, at the right time, we’ll see what will happen.

“But at the moment, we are mourning the demise of a very dear son of the constituency. The Member of Parliament is a big loss to the constituency and let’s see what happens after the one week,” Nyantakyi stated.

He urged the rank and file to offer the party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, peace of mind when choosing a running partner.

“I think it is a prerogative of the flagbearer to select the running mate, so let’s leave it to him. At the right time, he’ll do that.”

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My comments were distasteful – Kwesi Ahwoi apologizes to NDC fraternity

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Kwesi Ahwoi criticised his remarks, claiming that he "misspoke on the occasion." I accept the comments in good faith, even if they are based on an intentional misinterpretation of my position.

Kwesi Ahwoi, a member of the Ahwoi family, has issued an unequivocal apology to former President John Dramani Mahama.

He said he never intends to hope that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his entire four-year term if he wins the 2024 general elections.

Kwesi Ahwoi criticised his remarks, claiming that he “misspoke on the occasion.” I accept the comments in good faith, even if they are based on an intentional misinterpretation of my position.

Kwesi Ahwoi writes:

I have taken notice of the unfortunate controversy that has arisen as a result of a comment I made at a reception organized last Thursday by the Churchstreet group of NDC faithfuls for Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Running Mate to our esteemed flagbearer, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.

I sincerely regret the wrong impression that my comment has created. Indeed, it was not my intention, and never will it be my intention to pray that H.E. John Mahama does not serve his full four-year term when he wins the 2024 general elections.

I concede that I misspoke on the occasion. I accept the criticisms in good faith, even though some of the criticisms arise out of a deliberate misrepresentation of my statement.

Indeed, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang in response to my toast, pointed out the erroneous impression created by my statement and was categorical in asserting that she was certain that H.E. John Mahama will win the 2024 general elections and serve his full four-year term.

It is unfortunate that my statement appears to have taken the shine off what was otherwise a cheerful and light-hearted occasion.

I hereby render an unreserved and unqualified apology to H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the leadership and rank and file of the great NDC.

Comrades and friends, let us put this unfortunate incident behind us and unite behind our flag-bearer, the visionary Nation Builder, to rescue our beloved country in the December 2024 elections.

SIGNED.
Kwesi Ahwoi

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