Richard Ahiagbah, the National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed his disappointment with the 2025 budget presented by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. He characterizes the budget as an “anti-climax” and an “underwhelming reset,” arguing that it falls short of addressing the critical issues of high living costs and unemployment, which were central to the NDC’s campaign promises during the 2024 general elections. Ahiagbah contends that the only reason Ghanaians haven’t taken to the streets in protest is their inherent patience, not satisfaction with the government’s economic plan. He criticizes the budget for lacking concrete measures to alleviate the financial burdens faced by ordinary citizens and for failing to provide clear financial commitments to support the promised 24-hour economy, a key initiative intended to create jobs.
The 2025 budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, aimed to reset Ghana’s struggling economy. However, Ahiagbah argues that the budget’s proposals are insufficient to address the pressing economic challenges. He highlights the absence of direct interventions to cushion Ghanaians against the rising cost of living, a key promise made by President John Mahama during his campaign. This lack of action, according to Ahiagbah, will likely exacerbate the existing economic hardships faced by the populace. He further points out that the budget lacks specific financial allocations for implementing the proposed 24-hour economy, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to job creation and its ability to fulfill its campaign pledge to tackle unemployment.
Ahiagbah’s criticism underscores a fundamental disconnect between the NDC’s campaign promises and the actual measures outlined in the 2025 budget. The NDC campaigned heavily on improving living conditions and creating employment opportunities, leveraging these promises to secure victory in the 2024 elections. However, the budget, according to Ahiagbah, fails to deliver on these promises. This perceived discrepancy between campaign rhetoric and policy implementation could erode public trust in the government and fuel public discontent. Ahiagbah’s comments reflect a broader concern within the opposition about the government’s ability to effectively address the country’s economic challenges.
The NPP’s spokesperson emphasizes the lack of concrete measures in the budget to address the rising cost of living. He argues that the budget does not provide any immediate relief for Ghanaians struggling with increasing prices of essential goods and services. This omission, he suggests, is a betrayal of the NDC’s campaign promise to prioritize the well-being of ordinary citizens. The rising cost of living is a significant concern for many Ghanaians, and the lack of targeted interventions in the budget exacerbates their anxieties about their economic future. Ahiagbah’s criticism highlights the potential political ramifications of the government’s failure to address this critical issue.
Ahiagbah also raises concerns about the lack of clarity regarding the financing of the proposed 24-hour economy initiative. The NDC government presented this initiative as a key strategy for creating jobs and boosting economic activity. However, the budget does not specify how this initiative will be funded, raising questions about the government’s seriousness about its implementation. The absence of clear financial commitments in the budget, according to Ahiagbah, suggests that the government may not be fully committed to tackling unemployment, despite its campaign promises. This lack of clarity could undermine public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises and create much-needed jobs.
In summary, Ahiagbah’s critique of the 2025 budget centers on its perceived failure to address the critical issues of cost of living and unemployment, which were central to the NDC’s electoral campaign. He argues that the budget’s shortcomings represent a broken promise to the Ghanaian people and could lead to further economic hardship. The absence of concrete measures to alleviate the rising cost of living and the lack of clear financial commitments to support the 24-hour economy initiative, according to Ahiagbah, raise serious doubts about the government’s ability to deliver on its promises and effectively address the country’s economic challenges. He attributes the absence of public protests to the patience of Ghanaians, suggesting that their tolerance should not be mistaken for satisfaction with the government’s economic plan.
