Dr Clement Apaak
Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has commented on Ghana's latest debt figures, emphasizing the need for Ghanaian voters to oust the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The lawmaker criticized the government for its reckless borrowing, mismanagement of the country's resources, and the lack of tangible results from the loans taken since assuming power in 2017.
Ghana's public debt has soared to GH₵658.6 billion, marking an increase of GH₵47.4 billion within the first two months of 2024, according to the Bank of Ghana's May 2024 Summary of Economic and Financial Data.
This figure represents 62.7% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as of February 2024, with external debt standing at GH₵380 billion, equivalent to 36.1% of the GDP.
In response, Dr. Apaak urged Ghanaians to reject the NPP, warning that a vote for the party would quadruple the nation's current debt.
He accused the government of engaging in unprecedented corruption, nepotism, and mismanagement, plunging the economy into a deep crisis. He also claimed that the government has practiced selective justice, misgoverned the country, and exacerbated the suffering of its citizens.
Before the 2016 general elections, the current Vice President, who was then the running mate, criticized former President John Dramani Mahama for his borrowing habits.
"If we had spent the money borrowed, which amounts to some $37 billion over seven years, can you imagine the transformation it could have brought to our economy? $37 billion is a significant sum.
"When discussing a track record, one can always talk about future plans. However, the question remains: what have you accomplished? You've had seven years in government. What have you done? Your record should speak for itself," said the Vice President at the time.
Dr. Apaak has called out the Vice President, questioning his past statements about the government's borrowing plans, noting that the current administration has borrowed more than all previous governments combined.
He emphasized that the loans taken by this government have been mismanaged, misappropriated, and used for corrupt transactions.
He has thus urged Ghanaian voters to consider former President John Dramani Mahama as the best candidate to restore the country's economic stability and growth.
"Reject the NPP, reject DMB. End nepotism, blatant corruption, reckless borrowing, economic mismanagement, selective justice, and misgovernance. A vote for DMB is a vote for NADAA. A vote for DMB is a vote to quadruple the current national debt. Vote for change! Vote for JDM! Vote for the NDC! The 24-hour economy is the game-changer," he concluded.
