Felix Ofosu Kwakye, spokesperson for the incoming government’s transitional team, has stated that President-Elect John Dramani Mahama is fully committed to reviving Ghana’s economy.
He emphasized the need to stabilize the economy, strengthen the national currency, and reduce inflation in order to ease the financial strain on Ghanaians.
At today’s second sitting of the joint transition team, Mr Kwakye said discussions would continue, including the formation of a committee to address concerns raised by the Mahama transition team over last-minute payments and recruitment.
During the first sitting, the Mahama transition team raised alarm over a planned payment of 240 million Ghana cedis to an entity that had previously done business with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
“We expect to continue from where we left off last Wednesday. We mentioned concerns regarding last-minute appointments, mass recruitment, and certain payments that could have serious implications for our fiscal position,” Mr Kwakye explained.
“We were assured last Wednesday that proper deliberations would take place today, so we expect a clear picture and access to critical information concerning these recruitment and payment issues,” he added.
Furthermore, Mr Kwakye, the Member of Parliament-elect for Abura Asebu-Kwamankese constituency in the Central Region, confirmed that the joint transition team was informed that a committee would be established to address these issues thoroughly, ensuring all facts are brought to light.
“It is only fair that after elections, the incoming president and their team are allowed to fully understand the country’s situation, all major decisions on recruitment and payments should be deferred until the new administration has a chance to review them when we take office, we will know the true state of affairs,” he said.
Meanwhile, President-elect Mahama has outlined his priorities as he prepares to take office.
Speaking during a courtesy call from the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, Mr Mahama stressed the importance of stabilizing the economy, strengthening the Ghanaian cedi, and reducing inflation to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.
President-Elect Mahama acknowledged the country’s cooperation with China, particularly with Sinohydro on various infrastructure projects.
However, he noted that Ghana’s recent debt defaults had negatively impacted the country’s credit rating. He expressed his intention to focus on restoring economic growth, stabilizing the currency, and addressing inflation.
“Once the transition is completed, Ghana will engage with China on technical cooperation and explore how we can continue to benefit from initiatives like the FOCAC disbursement and the Belt and Road Initiative,” the President-Elect said.
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