'With your so-called good economy, you can't pay teachers' – Kofi Tonto

Aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Kofi Tonto, has slammed the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing it of mismanaging the economy and failing to support public sector workers.

Kofi Tonto, speaking on Good Afternoon Ghana on Metro TV on Monday, March 2, 2026, rejected claims that the previous government left behind a “junk economy”.

“They claim that we left a junk economy. We don’t claim that, but we were able to pay teachers. We were able to pay nurses,” he said.

He argued that despite economic challenges, the Akufo-Addo administration ensured workers were protected, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were able to support government workers during COVID when they were not working. We paid them in full… We gave them 50 per cent in addition to their salaries and made it tax-free,” he stated.

He contrasted this with what he described as worsening living conditions under the current government led by President John Dramani Mahama.

“With your so-called proper economy, you can’t pay teachers. You can’t pay nurses. Electricity, 27 per cent increment. Water, 20 per cent. Sustainability tax, you’ve increased it to 3 per cent,” he said.

He added that the extension of the sunset clause and new charges on insurance had further burdened citizens.

“You’ve extended the sunset clause… Non-life insurance: you’ve added 21 per cent. This is your so-called good economy,” he remarked.

Kofi Tonto also aimed at the government’s anti-corruption drive, particularly the Operation Recover All Loots (ORAL) initiative, describing it as ineffective.

“ORAL. It is the most useless thing I have ever heard,” he said.

He referenced comments by Attorney General Dominic Ayine, claiming that figures associated with the initiative were not based on proper investigations.

“He said Ablakwa did off-the-cuff or back-of-the-envelope calculations… He took a sheet of paper. ‘Oh, Kofi has stolen five… Kwame has stolen 10… Yaw has stolen 15,’” Tonto said.

Questioning the approach, he added, “Is that how you fight corruption?”

He criticised President Mahama for allowing such figures to be published without due process.

“Mr President, you didn’t know you needed an investigation before you allowed Okudzeto Ablakwa to recklessly put out a figure,” he stated.

Kofi Tonto also described as unreasonable reports that the government intended to retrieve $240 million from the Bank of Ghana.

“A government has built an institution for $240 million, and you claim that you are going to retrieve all of that $240 million. Is that sensible?” he asked.

According to him, such claims showed a lack of seriousness.

“These guys… they are frakadam, awam at one government,” he added