Former President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned the government to spend judiciously, the US$600 million — the second tranche of the US$3 billion facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — as well as funds that would come from other development partners.
According to the 2024 flag bearer for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), even though the release of the fund, should have lessen the problems of the already troubled Ghanaian, that will not be the case since the state’s administration is under the leadership of the New Patriotic Party government.
His comments stem from the government’s intention to implement a tax on electricity consumption, a policy the organised labour has given a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw.
“Under normal circumstances, the release of $600 million by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the government of Ghana should provide relief to the already overburdened and suffering Ghanaian.
“It is, however, evident that Ghanaians will continue to suffer as long as the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia and NPP remain in office. Implementing VAT on electricity consumption will increase tariffs by almost 21% and exacerbate the hardship on Ghanaians. This will affect the prices of goods, services, and transport fares,” he indicated in a Facebook post supporting the TUC’s call for the policy’s suspension.
Mr. Mahama went ahead to caution the government on how to utilise the funds that has been released by the IMF.
“Before that, I again urge the outgoing NPP government to be cautious, responsible and judicious in utilising the IMF $600 million and other funds that may be made available to Ghana from the World Bank and other development partners,” he noted.
He also indicated that he has asked the NDC Minority in Parliament to be extra vigilant to prevent the government from having its way on many things including the printing of millions of Cedis on their blind side the previous years.
“I have already encouraged the NDC minority in parliament to ensure strict oversight on both the government and not to take their eyes off the Bank of Ghana that illegally printed billions of cedis and aggravated our economic situation,” he said in portions of his statement.
His ‘Building Ghana Tour’, he noted, continues unabated as he turns to the Ashanti region in the next three days.
“On my part, I will, from time to time, continue to engage the Ghanaian public about my vision to build the Ghana we want and how we will work together to create well-paying jobs through my 24-hour economy policy and other pragmatic initiatives. Over the next three days, I will be in the Ashanti Region to interact and listen on the eighth leg of my #BuildingGhanaTour,” that, he said, is what he would be doing in the course of relieving Ghanaians of their problems.
