Isaac Adongo, the Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, launched a scathing critique of the Akufo-Addo administration’s economic policies during the 2025 budget debate, accusing the former government of prioritizing catchy slogans and empty promises over tangible development and sound economic management. He contrasted the previous government’s rhetoric with the current administration’s commitment to substantive progress, highlighting the “BIG Push” initiative as a prime example of this commitment. Adongo emphasized the initial funding allocated for this ambitious infrastructure development program, positioning it as a concrete step towards addressing Ghana’s infrastructural needs and a stark departure from the previous government’s approach. He argued that the Akufo-Addo administration’s focus on slogans, exemplified by the “Year of Roads” campaign, ultimately failed to deliver on its promises and left the nation’s infrastructure in a state of disrepair.
Adongo’s criticism centered on the disconnect between the former government’s pronouncements and the reality on the ground. He ridiculed the “Year of Roads” campaign, pointing out the irony of vehicles, including those belonging to members of the then-ruling party, becoming stranded in inaccessible areas during election campaigns. This, he argued, exposed the hollowness of the previous government’s claims and underscored their failure to address the critical issue of road infrastructure. He contrasted this with the current government’s “BIG Push” initiative, which he presented as a tangible commitment to infrastructure development, backed by concrete financial allocation, and designed to bring real improvements to the lives of Ghanaians. This, he argued, reflected a fundamental shift in priorities, from empty slogans to meaningful action.
The “BIG Push” initiative, according to Adongo, represents a significant departure from the previous government’s approach to infrastructure development. He emphasized the allocation of initial funding as evidence of the current administration’s commitment to tangible progress, contrasting it with the unfulfilled promises of the “Year of Roads” campaign. He portrayed the “BIG Push” as a comprehensive and well-funded program designed to address the nation’s infrastructural deficit and stimulate economic growth, unlike the previous government’s superficial and ultimately ineffective initiatives. The emphasis on initial funding, Adongo argued, demonstrated the current government’s seriousness in tackling infrastructure challenges and delivering on its promises to the Ghanaian people.
Adongo’s condemnation of the previous administration extended beyond the issue of infrastructure. He accused the Akufo-Addo government of broader economic mismanagement, suggesting that their policies had led to economic hardship for many Ghanaians. He contrasted this with the current government’s efforts to alleviate these hardships and restore hope, portraying the “BIG Push” as a key element of this strategy. By investing in infrastructure, Adongo argued, the current government was not only addressing a critical need but also creating jobs and stimulating economic activity, ultimately contributing to a more prosperous and equitable Ghana. He presented the current budget as a “human-centered” approach, focused on the needs of the people and designed to improve their lives.
The “human-centered” nature of the current budget, as emphasized by Adongo, reflects a broader philosophical difference between the current and previous administrations. He argued that the current government prioritizes the well-being of its citizens, contrasting this with the previous government’s perceived focus on slogans and self-promotion. The “BIG Push,” he argued, is a manifestation of this human-centered approach, designed to address the real needs of the people and improve their quality of life. He portrayed the current government as committed to delivering tangible benefits to Ghanaians, rather than engaging in empty rhetoric and superficial initiatives. This, he suggested, was a fundamental difference in approach, reflecting a deeper commitment to the welfare of the people.
In essence, Adongo’s critique of the previous administration centered on the accusation of prioritizing superficiality over substance. He contrasted the Akufo-Addo government’s focus on catchy slogans and unfulfilled promises with the current administration’s commitment to tangible development, exemplified by the “BIG Push” initiative. He argued that the previous government’s “Year of Roads” campaign was a prime example of their tendency to prioritize rhetoric over results, while the current government’s focus on infrastructure development, backed by concrete financial allocation, demonstrated a genuine commitment to improving the lives of Ghanaians. He characterized the current budget as a “human-centered” approach, reflecting a fundamental shift in priorities and a commitment to delivering real benefits to the people. He portrayed the previous administration as disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Ghanaians, while the current government, he argued, was focused on addressing those realities and building a more prosperous and equitable future for the nation.
