Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama has asked Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia five important questions regarding the status of Ghana's economy in a scathing assessment that has drawn national attention. The public's conversation on the government's economic performance under Bawumia's direction as Chairman of the Economic Management Team (EMT) has been fueled by these poignant questions.
Mahama's five questions, simple yet piercing, expose significant economic challenges facing Ghana today:
1. Why has the cedi deteriorated from Ghc4 to $1 in 2016 to nearly Ghc17 to $1 today?
2. Why has Ghana's public debt escalated from Ghc120 billion in 2016 to a staggering Ghc763 billion in 2024 under your watch as EMT chair?
3. Why did inflation skyrocket to an all-time high of 54% in the Fourth Republic while you led the EMT?
4. Why did you borrow over Ghc42 billion from the Bank of Ghana, leading the Central Bank to post a record-breaking loss of Ghc60 billion?
5. Why have you avoided giving lectures on the economy? Why has the term ‘economy’ vanished from your lexicon?
On social media, Bawumia's response—a list of fifty questions directed at the opposition—has drawn harsh criticism. Disappointment was voiced by netizens, many of whom said that Bawumia ignored Mahama's urgent issues. One social media user echoed the view of many when they said, "They're asking for quality, not quantity."
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), which was elected in December, has released a bold proposal to create 1.7 million jobs in the midst of this contentious debate. With the economy at the top of voters' thoughts, the NDC's promise to create jobs highlights its dedication to tackling the pressing economic issues.
It is anticipated that Mahama's inquiries and the NDC's pledge to provide jobs will set the stage for a contentious and important general election. Demands for accountability and a sustainable economic strategy will only increase as Ghanaians continue to discuss these open questions.