Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi, has delivered a pointed critique of President John Dramani Mahama’s approach to governance, particularly focusing on what he perceives as an overreliance on blaming previous administrations for the nation’s economic woes. Nkrumah asserts that Mahama’s recent address to Parliament echoed a pattern established in 2013, characterized by extensive “lamentations” about inherited economic challenges rather than a proactive presentation of concrete solutions. He argues that this tendency to dwell on the past hinders effective governance and distracts from the urgent need to address the pressing issues facing Ghanaians. Nkrumah emphasizes that the responsibility of the current administration is not to apportion blame, but to govern effectively and implement solutions, reminding the president that, “You are in power today. Your job is to fix it.”
Nkrumah’s criticism centers on what he sees as a disconnect between Mahama’s campaign promises and his subsequent actions. During the election campaign, Mahama highlighted critical issues such as the rising cost of living, escalating transportation fares, increasing electricity tariffs, and rampant food inflation. However, according to Nkrumah, the president’s address to Parliament failed to outline any tangible plans to tackle these very issues he had championed during his campaign. Instead, he alleges that the president used the platform to primarily lament and blame past administrations, a tactic that Nkrumah finds unproductive and ultimately unhelpful to the citizens struggling with these economic hardships. The MP questioned the president’s omission of concrete proposals, emphasizing that the public expects action, not rhetoric, on the promises made.
Furthermore, Nkrumah criticizes the decision to discontinue certain programs initiated by the previous administration, specifically citing the “Gold for Oil” initiative. He contends that this program played a significant role in stabilizing the national currency and that discarding potentially beneficial policies solely based on their origin, rather than their effectiveness, is detrimental to the nation’s economic well-being. He advocates for a more nuanced approach, suggesting that the government should focus on identifying and building upon successful policies from the past, regardless of which administration introduced them, rather than engaging in wholesale dismantling of existing initiatives. This, he argues, would promote continuity and contribute to a more stable and predictable economic environment.
Nkrumah’s core argument revolves around the need for the Mahama administration to prioritize pragmatic governance over what he perceives as political propaganda. He asserts that dwelling on the past and assigning blame will not address the immediate challenges facing the citizenry. He emphasizes that the focus should be on developing and implementing effective policies to stimulate job creation, alleviate the rising cost of living, and improve the overall economic well-being of Ghanaians. He calls for concrete action on the issues that directly impact people’s lives, stressing the need for solutions that will “put food on the table, and put clothes on people’s backs.”
In essence, Nkrumah challenges President Mahama to shift his focus from blaming previous administrations to actively engaging with the present economic realities and presenting practical solutions. He argues that governance should prioritize delivering tangible results for the people, not engaging in political rhetoric or assigning blame. Nkrumah’s message is a call for action, urging the government to present concrete programs that address the pressing economic challenges and allow Parliament to fulfill its role in scrutinizing and contributing to effective policy implementation. He underlines that effective governance demands more than simply identifying problems; it requires the presentation of actionable solutions and a commitment to their execution.
Ultimately, Nkrumah’s critique underlines the importance of accountability and results-oriented governance. He emphasizes that the electorate holds the current administration responsible for addressing the nation’s challenges, regardless of the perceived shortcomings of previous governments. He concludes by urging the government to prioritize pragmatic solutions and proactive governance, rather than engaging in what he views as unproductive blame-shifting. His call for concrete programs and parliamentary collaboration signifies a desire for a more constructive and effective approach to governance, one that prioritizes the well-being of the citizenry over political posturing. He stresses that the true measure of successful governance lies not in rhetoric, but in tangible improvements to the lives of Ghanaians.
