Fuel shortage, cancellation of allowances and dumsor - Bawumia recalls Mahama's failures as president

The Vice President and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has staged a total recall of what he called failures under the regime of former President John Dramani Mahama, when he was president between 2012 and 2016.

Addressing various stakeholders at Akyem Akoroso, during a campaign tour of the Eastern Region on Saturday, August 30, 2024, Dr Bawumia said the country was so badly managed by former President Mahama that he could not provide basic things such as chalk to basic schools.

"Mahama told Ghanaians that the economy under him was completely broke, after his party had been in power for eight years. He said the meat on the bones of the economy was all gone and left with just the bones,” Dr Bawumia said.

The vice president then recalled a number of challenges and frustrations Ghanaians endured under the presidency of Mahama.

"Because of the bones, his government could not provide Ghanaians basic amenities. His government could not even pay teacher trainees their allowance; he could not pay nurses their trainee allowance; he could not even provide chalk to basic schools to teach our children. He also cancelled Arabic instructors' allowance," Dr Bawumia said.

Dr Bawumia also recalled the most frustrating challenge Ghanaians endured under the Mahama regime in the energy sector.

"Because of the bones, there was dumsor for four years which destroyed businesses. The entire country slept in darkness for four years between 2012 and 2016. And because of the poor management of the country, we also had to line up to buy fuel because of fuel shortages under his government."

On the contrary, Dr Bawumia said in spite of the many global challenges economies are facing, including Ghana, the government has been able to meet its commitments in terms of salaries, recruiting more young people, undertaking development projects, paying nursing and trainee allowances, and keeping the lights on.

The vice president shared his vision on several sectors, including a new business-friendly tax system, a modern digital economy, a strong partnership with the private sector, an improved mining and agriculture sector, creation of jobs for the youth through ICT and vocational training, among others.

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