Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, has called for stronger government communication on the country’s economic challenges, while defending President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to use international platforms to articulate Ghana’s and Africa’s economic concerns.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu programme on Saturday, September 26, 2026, Mr Koomson said President Mahama’s international engagements should be viewed within the context of Ghana’s economic circumstances and the country’s financial limitations.
He argued that Ghana’s current economic position differs from the circumstances under which the country’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, pursued his Pan-African agenda.
According to Mr Koomson, Dr Nkrumah had greater financial resources at his disposal to organise African leaders and advance discussions on political and economic independence.
He said President Mahama does not have the same financial capacity and must therefore make effective use of the international platforms available to him to communicate his vision and Ghana’s position on issues affecting Africa.
International platforms and Africa’s economic future
Mr Koomson said President Mahama’s international statements should be understood as part of efforts to communicate Ghana’s and Africa’s concerns within the global system.
He rejected suggestions that the President should remain silent about his broader plans for Africa because Western countries and other international actors could be monitoring his statements.
According to him, major international powers already have significant intelligence capabilities and are likely to be aware of the direction in which African governments intend to move.
He argued that publicly articulating Ghana’s position can create greater awareness of the country’s objectives and reduce the possibility of its intentions being misrepresented.
Mr Koomson said African countries must therefore continue using international platforms to communicate their interests and contribute to discussions about the continent’s economic future.
Government must improve public communication
Despite defending the President’s international engagements, Mr Koomson expressed concern about the government’s domestic communication strategy.
He argued that the National Democratic Congress administration must do more to explain its policies, programmes and economic measures to Ghanaians.
According to him, government communication should go beyond posters and billboards and should provide citizens with clear explanations of the economic difficulties inherited by the administration and the measures being implemented to address them.
He said effective communication was important because citizens needed to understand the scale of the challenges facing the economy and the reasons some solutions could take time to produce results.
Mr Koomson compared the situation to taking over a vehicle whose engine had already suffered serious damage, arguing that repairing such a system could not necessarily be completed within a short period.
He maintained that rebuilding the economy, restoring industries and creating sustainable employment require time, consistent policy implementation and an understanding of the structural problems affecting the economy.
24-hour economy and economic recovery
Mr Koomson linked the communication challenge to the government’s broader economic agenda, including the proposed 24-hour economy.
He said the policy could create opportunities for increased production and employment, but its success would depend on rebuilding the productive sectors of the economy.
He maintained that Ghana must restore its manufacturing capacity, strengthen local production and create conditions that enable businesses to operate competitively.
Mr Koomson therefore urged Ghanaians to look beyond political slogans and pay attention to the structural challenges confronting the economy.
He said public understanding of those challenges, coupled with clearer communication from government, would be important as the country works to restore productive capacity, rebuild industries and create sustainable employment.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah