Kufuor Faces Criticism As He Marks First 100 Days

As Ghanaian President John Kufuor marks 100 days in office on Monday, the honeymoon is evaporating amid serious doubts over his pledges to clean up governance and correct 19 years of fiscal anarchy.

Although his election pledges are not being dismissed as rhetoric, Kufuor's disaster-management techniques are being tested in the face of tremendous odds.

The greatest problem Kufuor inherited in January was the economic mess left by military dictator-turned-president Jerry Rawlings, who ruled for 19 years.

The legacy included an inflation rate of more than 40 percent, a national debt of 41 trillion cedis (5.85 billion dollars) and one month's supply of fuel.

Kufuor's government has taken some bold steps, including increasing the heavily subsidised fuel prices by 64 percent, leading to a 15 percent rise in the rates of public transport and an increase in food prices.

The new government's maiden budget accepted debt-ridden status under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative of the Bretton Woods institutions, to avail of limited loan waivers.

Economist Godfrey Acquaah said Kufuor faced an uphill task.

"The government is going to find it difficult to raise money to try and fulfil its huge election promises like creating jobs for 100,000 people in the first year.

"Salaries for the Ghana police service for March were delayed for about a week," he said, noting that a government plan to raise revenues by taking 15 percent of the gross profit of banks and insurance companies for a national reconstruction fund were already foundering.

"It has hit a snag following protestations from the banks, and the figure has been reduced to between 7.5 to 10 percent," he said.

The state-run water and electricity companies have said they need to increase tariffs by more than 300 percent. And negotiations for improved minimum wages have just begun and could prove sticky for Kufuor.

While workers' unions are demanding a 50 percent increase, the government started the talks with the offer of a 20 percent increase. The legal daily minimum wage is currently 4,200 cedis (60 cents).

John Mahama, spokesman for the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, said: "Kufuor's aim of zero tolerance for corruption is going to be severely tested."

"Many of the businessmen who supported him financially in the election campaign are expecting some contracts for huge gains to recoup some expenses," he said.

However, Kufuor last month sacked Sports Minister Mallam Yusif Isa for losing 45,000 dollars reserved for the national football team.

Another official from ex-president Rawlings' NDC said Kufuor was too busy blaming the former government and punishing NDC officials for alleged fiscal and other malpractices.

"The government has spent the first three months trying to drag the name of the NDC in the mud, trying to find excuses for not being able to fulfil the big promises they made in their campaign," he said.

"Some of us are wondering for how long the Ghanaian public will continue to hear all these unsubstantiated allegations," he added.

The president is also facing criticism for appointing a jumbo cabinet -- with 70 ministers -- and charges of nepotism.

He appointed his brother Addo Kufuor, a medical doctor, as defence minister and named his nephew, D.K. Osei, as his secretary.

Accra taxi driver Daniel Amankwah, who had stickers of Kufuor emblazoned all over his vehicle, said he too was disenchanted.

"He has promised that the cash-and-carry system would be abolished soon," Amankwah said, referring to a ubiquitous practice in Ghana for patients to pay all medical costs up front before being admitted to hospital.

"There are no signs he will do that. He promised to create jobs but nothing has happened. Petrol went up and people are poorer now. Where are we headed to?"