John Dramani Mahama, a former president, urges the administration to establish sound priorities in light of the current economic difficulties.
The former president voiced concern over what he called the “excruciating pain and commodity price spikes due to the huge economic crisis” in a message honoring Republic Day.
“This definitely isn’t the Ghana they had in mind. The former President stated that “our forefathers expected and still expect the government to do right by all Ghanaians, not just a select few.”
He believes the living conditions of Ghanaians will improve if the government stops wasteful expenditure
“In a same vein, we citizens likewise demand higher standards from our government. We demand that the administration establish the proper priorities, abhor arrogance, cut back on needless spending, deal with corruption, and respect dissent. We also anticipate social and economic aid from the government for Ghanaians.
The former president made his remarks as the administration began negotiating a bailout with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Below is the statement from John Mahama
As we observe our Republic Day, let the government set its priorities right in order to address the excruciating hardships millions of Ghanaians are going through.
We expect government to set right priorities, eschew arrogance, stop wasteful expenditure, address corruption and tolerate dissent. We also expect government to bring socio-economic relief to Ghanaians.
Today, in 1960, Ghana gained self-determination from British Colonial rule through the toils of our forbears led by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Unfortunately, in 2019 the present government prioritised and made 1st July a commemorative day; substituting Ghana’s Republic Day with 4th August as a Statutory Public holiday.
Sadly, our forebears are observing Ghanaians today going through excruciating suffering and comodity price hikes due to the massive economic downturn. This is certainly not the Ghana they envisaged. Our forbears expected and still expect government to do right to every Ghanaian, not just a few .
Similarly, we the living also expect better from the government. We expect government to set right priorities, eschew arrogance, stop wasteful expenditure, address corruption and tolerate dissent. We also expect government to bring socio-economic relief to Ghanaians.
As we observe our Republic Day, let the government set its priorities right in order to address the excruciating hardships millions of Ghanaians are going through.
And let us also re-dedicate ourselves to building a prosperous nation