It is crucial for our younger generation to overcome the severe economic hardship caused by the eight years of mismanagement under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership.
Dr. Bawumia, who was chosen as running mate to oversee the economy, has failed in this responsibility. Unfortunately, his leadership as vice president, along with the current NPP administration, has turned serious economic issues into political spectacles, with leaders mocking the public and deceiving them with false promises to gain power.
These remarks were made by Dr. Ofosu Ampofo, the former Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), during an interview on Siem Pieso on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Emmanuel Martey.
Dr. Ampofo expressed his belief that the NPP has severely damaged the country through poor leadership and governance, particularly with a high perception of corruption. Many of the country’s institutions have been undermined, which has destroyed the social and economic fabric of Ghana, plunging the country into deep economic crisis.
Regarding education, Dr. Ampofo noted that the NDC manifesto addresses the key challenges in the sector, including infrastructure, funding, accommodation, and feeding, which have become major issues under the NPP government. These shortcomings have affected the quality of education, especially with the implementation of the Free Senior High School program, which has not been properly supported by the government.
On the judiciary, Dr. Ampofo criticized the NPP for their predictable actions, which he believes have undermined the credibility of the judicial system. He pointed to leadership failures within the NPP and their attempts to influence high-profile legal cases to protect the interests of those in power, rather than ensuring justice is served to the people of Ghana. As a result, the credibility of the judiciary has sharply declined, with public respect for the institution dropping by nearly 68.3%.
Dr. Ampofo also highlighted the concerning relationship between Parliament and the judiciary. He argued that the government’s use of the courts to challenge the authority of Parliament threatens the principle of the separation of powers. If this trend continues, Parliament may lose its traditional role as a check on executive power.
In a related development, the flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, has expressed his belief that the ongoing parliamentary dispute could have been resolved without involving the courts.
Speaking during a fellowship with the clergy in Kumasi on November 11, Mahama emphasized the importance of dialogue and negotiation in resolving political conflicts. He suggested that a more collaborative approach would have been better for all parties involved.
Mahama’s comments come amid a contentious legal battle surrounding Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s declaration that four parliamentary seats were vacant. The ruling was made after some MPs allegedly violated constitutional requirements. However, the Supreme Court intervened, staying the execution of the ruling and deciding to make a final determination on the matter on November 12, 2024.
Mahama believes such disputes should ideally be resolved politically, rather than through judicial intervention. He explained, “The solution is not legal because the Supreme Court can make a decision, but Parliament could reject it, asserting that it is a separate arm of government. This matter requires a political solution, which depends on the president.”
“If I were president,” Mahama continued, “I would have taken the case out of the Supreme Court and brought both sides, their leaders, the Council of State, and the Speaker together to resolve the matter. I am confident that if this approach had been taken, a resolution would have been found.”
Story by: Alexander Kukah
