Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as ‘Chairman Wontumi’, has responded to some claims made by a former Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, Samuel Yaw Adusei, about the state of the Ghanaian economy.
Mr Adusei, who was in the Ashanti region for media engagements, criticized the NPP government’s economic management, citing the country’s high debt levels and rising inflation.
During the recent presentation of the mid-year budget review to Parliament, the Finance Minister, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, revealed that as of the end of June 2024, Ghana’s debt had reached GH¢742.0 billion (US$50.9 billion).
This is equivalent to 70.6 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said, “This indicates an increase of 22.0 per cent due to the effect of the cedi depreciation and the continuous disbursements from creditors.”
He explained that out of the total debt, GH¢452.0 billion was external debt, making up 60.9 per cent, while GH¢290.0 billion was domestic debt, accounting for 39.1 per cent.
“As a percentage of GDP, external and domestic debt represented 43.0 per cent and 27.6 per cent, respectively,” he said.
Mr Adusei who criticized this state of affairs, also highlighted the achievements of former President John Mahama in the Ashanti Region.
In response, Wontumi, in a series of media appearances, has countered Adusei’s claims, defending the NPP government’s economic record and questioning Adusei’s credibility and basis for the claims.
The NPP chairman accused Adusei of being dishonest and trying to deceive Ghanaians to create sympathy for the NDC’s flagbearer John Dramani Mahama to gain favour from electorates in the region.
As the 2024 elections approach, such exchanges are expected to intensify, with both parties presenting their cases to the electorate.