'In spite of PhDs, they lack knowledge; Oh Bawumia, why?' – Mona Quartey

A former Deputy Finance Minister, Mrs Mona Helen Quartey, has said the Akufo-Addo-led government is adopting a “lazy” approach in building the economy.

According to her, the government lacks ideas on how to transform the Ghanaian economy to the benefit of all Ghanaians.

Speaking at a public forum of the opposition National Democratic Congress on Ghana's economy in Accra on Thursday, 4 April 2019, Mrs Quartey said: “They talk about an inclusive transformation agenda. But this is a lazy approach to building our economy.

“This current government lacks awareness because they seemed to be totally not in touch with the realities on the ground.

“In spite of their PhDs, they lack knowledge. They have totally misled not just their own people but they have misled all of Ghana. They have shown that they have bad traits and they are up to mischief. Oh Bawumia why?”

Also speaking at the event, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolgatanga Central, Mr Isaac Adongo, said a chunk of the $3 billion raised from the recently-issued Eurobonds by the government, will end up with “family and friends”.

Mr Adongo, a Member of the Finance Committee of Parliament, expressed worry that Ghana has moved from an era of borrowing to secure the future of the younger generation, to an era of borrowing for consumption.

He pointed out that: “If you take 2019, the $3 billion they borrowed, $2 billion is for the budget. Only $390 million will be spent on capital expenditure. $1.61 billion will go into family and friends, you know it”.

Mr Adongo also said: “In 2018, we [Ghana] went to borrow $750 million [but] we spent only $119 million on capital expenditure; $631 million, we spent on consumption. Our children will have to come and pay for this and they [the government] have nothing to show”.