Dr. Gideon Boako, a prominent member of Ghana’s Parliament and the Deputy Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, has launched a sharp critique of the John Dramani Mahama administration’s fiscal policies, accusing the government of hypocrisy and fiscal mismanagement. Boako’s central argument revolves around the NDC government’s failure to live up to its promises of lean governance and reduced expenditure, particularly in light of their past criticisms of the previous Akufo-Addo administration for similar issues. He highlighted a stark contrast between the NDC’s rhetoric on fiscal prudence and the reality of their budgetary allocations, accusing them of significantly increasing government spending despite pledges to cut costs and reduce the tax burden on Ghanaians.
Central to Boako’s critique is the substantial increase in the total appropriation for 2025 under the Mahama administration, a figure he pegged at 290 billion cedis, compared to 250 billion cedis spent in 2024 under the previous Akufo-Addo government. This 40 billion cedi increase, according to Boako, raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and efficient resource allocation. He questioned how the Mahama administration plans to reconcile this increased spending with its stated goals of fiscal consolidation and tax relief, accusing Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson of failing to “stop the bleeding” of government resources as promised.
Furthermore, Boako scrutinized specific budgetary allocations within the 2025 budget, highlighting what he perceives as excessive spending in certain areas. He drew attention to the allocation of 2.7 billion cedis for compensation within the Office of Government Machinery, a dramatic increase from the 327 million cedis allocated for the same purpose in 2024 under the Akufo-Addo administration. This substantial increase, Boako argued, directly contradicts the NDC’s previous criticisms of the Akufo-Addo government’s spending within the Office of the President. He also pointed to significant allocations for government communications and research, arguing that these allocations dwarfed the combined budgets of several ministries under the previous administration, further undermining the NDC’s claims of fiscal restraint.
Boako’s accusations extend beyond general expenditure increases, delving into the specifics of budgetary allocations and highlighting what he sees as a clear disconnect between the NDC’s rhetoric and their actions. He questioned the justification for such substantial increases in spending, particularly in light of the government’s claims of revenue shortfalls and the need for fiscal consolidation. By focusing on these specific examples, Boako aims to demonstrate a pattern of fiscal mismanagement and a disregard for the principles of lean governance that the NDC had previously championed.
The Tano North MP’s criticisms paint a picture of a government failing to adhere to its own stated principles of fiscal responsibility. He argues that the Mahama administration is not only failing to deliver on its promises of reduced spending and tax relief but is actively exacerbating the very issues they previously criticized in the Akufo-Addo government. This perceived hypocrisy, combined with the significant increase in overall government expenditure, forms the core of Boako’s critique, raising questions about the government’s true commitment to fiscal prudence and efficient use of public resources.
Boako concluded his critique with a call for increased public scrutiny of the government’s financial management practices. He urged Ghanaians to hold the Mahama administration accountable for its spending decisions and to demand transparency in the allocation and utilization of national resources. By raising these concerns publicly, Boako seeks to spark a broader national conversation about fiscal responsibility and the government’s commitment to ensuring the prudent use of taxpayer money. He emphasizes the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their promises and ensuring that the government’s actions align with its stated goals of economic stability and sustainable development.
