Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has launched a scathing critique of the current Ghanaian government led by President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), predicting continued economic hardship for the citizenry. His criticism centers on the newly implemented revised Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act, 2025, which introduces an additional GHS1 charge per litre of fuel. Ahiagbah argues that this levy, passed with urgency by Parliament, demonstrates the government’s insensitivity and incompetence, further burdening Ghanaians already struggling with economic challenges. He condemns the government’s disregard for public outcry against the levy, characterizing it as a lazy approach to addressing the country’s mounting energy sector debts.
Ahiagbah’s condemnation extends beyond the fuel levy to encompass a recent 14.75% increase in electricity tariffs implemented in the first quarter of 2025. He questions the justification for this tariff hike, particularly in light of the government’s decision to exempt the Jubilee House, the presidential residence, from paying electricity bills. Ahiagbah insinuates that these increased tariffs, combined with the new fuel levy, represent a pattern of government inaction and disregard for the financial well-being of Ghanaians. He paints a picture of a government disconnected from the realities faced by its citizens, prioritizing its own expenses while imposing further financial burdens on the population.
The core of Ahiagbah’s argument rests on the premise that the government is choosing the easiest, albeit most damaging, path to address the energy sector debt. He argues that instead of exploring alternative solutions or implementing more efficient measures, the government is resorting to imposing levies and increasing tariffs, directly impacting the pockets of ordinary Ghanaians. This, he claims, reflects a lack of innovative thinking and a disregard for finding sustainable solutions to the country’s economic challenges. Ahiagbah’s position is that this approach is not only ineffective in the long term but also exacerbates the hardship faced by citizens, creating a cycle of increasing costs and diminishing purchasing power.
Furthermore, Ahiagbah’s criticism highlights the perceived disconnect between the government’s actions and the concerns voiced by the public. He points out that despite widespread disapproval of the energy levy, the government proceeded with its implementation, demonstrating a disregard for public opinion and a lack of responsiveness to the needs of the citizenry. This, he suggests, underscores a deeper issue of governance and accountability, where the government operates independently of the people it is supposed to serve. Ahiagbah’s statements imply a call for greater transparency and responsiveness from the government, urging them to engage with public concerns and consider the impact of their policies on the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
The specific example of the Jubilee House’s exemption from electricity bills serves as a potent symbol of Ahiagbah’s broader critique. He uses this example to illustrate the perceived hypocrisy and misplaced priorities of the government. By highlighting the exemption of the presidential residence from the very tariffs imposed on the general public, Ahiagbah seeks to expose what he views as a double standard. This, he implies, further reinforces the perception of a government disconnected from the realities of its citizens, prioritizing its own comfort and convenience over the financial well-being of the population.
In conclusion, Richard Ahiagbah’s strongly worded criticism paints a bleak picture of the current economic situation in Ghana under the NDC government. He accuses the government of insensitivity, incompetence, and a disregard for public opinion, predicting continued hardship for Ghanaians as a result of the newly implemented energy levy and increased electricity tariffs. He argues that these measures represent a lazy approach to addressing the country’s energy sector debts, placing an undue burden on already struggling citizens. By highlighting the Jubilee House’s exemption from electricity bills, Ahiagbah further emphasizes his point about the government’s misplaced priorities and its disconnect from the realities faced by the general population. His statements call for a more responsive and accountable government that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens and seeks sustainable solutions to economic challenges.
