Ghana needs a decisive leader like Akufo-Addo - Dr. Bawumia

The running mate of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 2008 and 2012 elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated that Nana Akufo-Addo is the decisive leader Ghana needs "to return us onto the path of prosperity once again."

Addressing delegates of the party in the Eastern Region on Thursday, Dr Bawumia stated that the National Democratic Congress, from 2009 to date, have shown that they are not up to the task of managing the economy of the country and, in turn, bring relief to Ghanaians.

Dr. Bawumia noted that, "In view of this we need to select a decisive leader with vision and direction. We need a trustworthy leader who can give us an economy that we can be proud of, and that leader is Nana Akufo-Addo."

He described the NDC government's attempt to ascribe the country's economic woes to the fall in the prices of gold and cocoa as laughable.

He was at a loss as to how President Mahama and his government could blame the fall in the prices of gold and cocoa for the crisis Ghana finds herself in when "cocoa prices are on the average for the period 2009 to date 52% higher than they were during the tenure of the NPP government under President John Agyekum Kufuor, from 2001 to 2008."

Dr. Bawumia added that gold prices from 2009 to date are on average 172% higher on the international market than they were under the 8 years of the NPP, adding that "the problem is not gold or cocoa prices. The problem is that this government has mismanaged the economy and, as a result, has placed untold hardships on Ghanaians."

He continued, "Ghana now has oil. Under the NPP, there was no oil. They (NDC) have borrowed over $20 billion and still they there is no money. They (NDC) have received tax revenue much more than any government, and yet still we need a bailout from the IMF."

Dr. Bawumia maintained that President Mahama and his NDC government can there not complain of lack of resources.

"But where is the money? When we need money to pay contractors, teachers, nurses etc., the NDC says there is no money. But when schemes like SADA, GYEEDA, and the purchasing of sanitary pads spring up, they will find the money," Dr Bawumia stressed.

In view of this, he told the delegates that "we need a decisive leader who will transform this country, and that leader is none other than Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. His vision for this nation has been clear and consistent, and will deliver prosperity for all."