'Even NPP members would not want Ofori-Atta back in charge of the economy' — Manasseh Azure
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has said Ghana's economy is in a better state than it was under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
According to him, even members of the opposition party who want the best for the country would not want to have former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in charge of the economy.
His comments come in the wake of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, July 23, which drew applause from the Majority in Parliament and praise from some economic analysts over the government's reported macroeconomic gains.
In a social media post on Friday, Manasseh Azure acknowledged signs of improvement in the economy but argued that the progress should not overshadow persistent structural problems, including unemployment, low production and challenges facing the agricultural sector.
"The... economy looks healthier than it was in the previous administration. Some say the recovery started when the IMF came in, but the fact remains that even the NPP members who love Ghana would dread putting the economy back in the hands of Ken Ofori-Atta should a second chance present itself," he wrote.
Despite the improvement, the investigative journalist said the country was "far from the ululations" that greeted the Finance Minister's budget presentation.
He stressed that many of the underlying weaknesses in the economy remain unresolved.
Manasseh Azure argued that Ghana's low production capacity continues to threaten long-term economic growth, noting that the country risks becoming a market for imported goods rather than a manufacturing hub.
He further pointed to high unemployment, saying the rush for recruitment into the security services reflects the lack of employment opportunities in the wider economy.
He further claimed that many maize and rice farmers are considering reducing production or abandoning farming this season because they have struggled to recover their investments following a food glut, which he said was partly caused by the ban on grain exports.
"I do not intend to blight the government's bright spot. It's not out of place to point out the modest gains made and give credit... We can still point out the gains and the strengths. But, frankly, ours is not the economy whose budget reading should give Franklin Cudjoe 'goosebumps all over and watery eyes!'" he added.