New Economy: 'Is Mahama government abandoning its 2024 promises?' – Kwesi Pratt

Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has questioned the rationale behind the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government's proposed New Economy programme, demanding clarity on whether it represents a departure from the party's 2024 election promises.

The New Economy is a proposed four-year economic transformation programme covering 2027 to 2030.

President John Dramani Mahama announced plans to invest US$10 billion in seven priority sectors, with the objective of moving Ghana from economic stabilisation towards increased production, industrial expansion and job creation.

Reacting to this, the veteran journalist argued that Ghanaians voted for the NDC based on specific policy commitments and deserve an account of the government's progress in fulfilling those promises.

Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana programme on Wednesday, November 11, Mr Pratt questioned who took the decision to introduce the new economic agenda and whether it had been approved as a change in the government's policy direction.

"Who made this decision that we should have a New Economy? Has the National Democratic Congress changed its programme? Hasn't it changed its programme? Is it the Minister of Finance who decides the direction of the national economy? Is it the President? What is happening?" he asked.

Mr. Pratt said although governments are expected to present new economic policies and projections in their budgets, such announcements must account for existing commitments and demonstrate the progress made towards fulfilling them.

He cited the NDC's flagship 24-Hour Economy policy, which was presented as a major intervention to generate employment, arguing that the government must explain how far it had progressed with the initiative after two years in office.

He also demanded an account of the government's commitments to improving roads, expanding access to quality education and increasing the country's housing stock.

"If this New Economy is a departure from the promises which were made in 2024, then there are questions to be raised," he said.