‘Times Are Hard, But Keep Faith With NPP’

A Member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has admitted that Ghanaians are still struggling to make ends meet under the Nana Addo government.

In a Facebook post, the lawyer was however quick to add that “there is a clear sense of direction on – not only where the Akufo-Addo government wants to go, but also where it is taking Ghana.”

He therefore entreated Ghanaians to keep faith with government as it works to meet their expectations.

“Where government is taking the nation is the right way, and must be made to succeed. I pray for two things: that government will find a workable balance between pursuing the big vision goal, and responding to the necessary electoral cycle relief expectations on the other hand.

“Again that the people will have the information and the patience to keep faith with the NPP. If we do not help the NPP to succeed, then I don't know…Ghana's destiny is tied practically to the NPP succeeding. If in doubt just observe that the Ghanaian actually holds the NPP to a higher standard than the NDC. Trust me!”

There have been concerns about the depreciation of the cedi against major currencies and its effect on businesses, rising unemployment, high cost of fuel, introduction of new taxes among others.

Economy should've performed better under NPP – Terkper

Former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, believes Ghana's economy should have been performing better under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

He said unlike the previous administration which was battling with a long standing power crisis which affected the economy, he expected a strong economy under the NPP, given the resolution of the power crisis and the issuance of some bonds to ostensibly save the economy from collapse.

“Frankly I definitely expected a better performance of the economy. We[NDC] went through two and a half years of disruption in gas supply from Nigeria, leading to a downturn in the economy because of the power crisis. I think we oversimplified it with the word dumsor and therefore those in government were analyzing it seriously but a lot of people took it to be non performance by government even though we all know it was pipelines that were ruptured undersea and it had to take time to fix it so that was one factor of the economy going down.

'NPP fixing havoc'
A few weeks ago, Mr. Octhere Darko snapped at former President John Mahama, telling him to quiet down as the NPP government attempts to manage the 'crisis' his administration left the economy in.

Mr. Otchere-Darko said the government had been relatively lenient following what he described as the havoc the Mahama administration caused the economy.

He made these comments on Facebook after Mr. Mahama criticized the government over suggestions there may be an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) and National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), in the Mid-Year Budget Review.

“Certainly, the reckless way the NDC ran down the economy in 8yrs (lest we forget), called for creative and intelligent measures to satisfy three things: manage the debt crisis; keep the state machinery running and; deliver on your own promises.”

“The Akufo-Addo government found a way in 2017, and will continue to find ways that will keep faith with the people of Ghana. Be in no doubt. And, please, can somebody out there tell John Mahama to shush! It is not his fault, though. The NPP has been kind to him on the havoc he caused to the economy,” Mr. Otchere-Darko stated.