Mr. Benjamin Kofi Quashie, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders in South Africa, has asserted that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) fears losing the 2024 elections due to the accountability that will follow.
Speaking in an interview with Ghasa Radio, Mr. Quashie predicted “interesting times” for the country if the NDC takes power, hinting at a thorough investigation of the NPP’s governance.
Benjamin Quashie indicated that the NPP’s anxiety stems from their questionable management of the country’s resources and the likelihood of being held accountable for their actions. He specifically cited the Bank of Ghana’s alleged mishandling of the economy and the controversial use of public funds, including the gold-for-oil deal, PDS saga, and the construction of the national cathedral.
“The NPP doesn’t want to lose this election because they fear accountability. They’ve made so much money. We will hold them accountable. There will be no political witch hunt, but everyone involved in wrongdoing will be brought to justice,” Mr. Benjamin Quashie stated.
Mr. Quashie did not mince words when criticizing the current state of the Ghanaian economy under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. He argued that the NPP has failed to deliver on its promise to move the country from taxation to production and instead increased the burden of taxes on citizens.
He expressed disappointment in Vice President Bawumia’s economic leadership, calling him “a monumental failure.” According to Mr. Quashie, the government’s mishandling of the economy is evident in the continued depreciation of the cedi against the dollar and the imposition of the controversial e-levy, which was presented as a solution to Ghana’s financial woes but has failed to deliver.
“We were told that once the e-levy was passed, Ghana’s economic problems would be solved. But what happened? The economy is worse, and the vice president, who promised solutions, has become a joke in Ghanaian politics,” he added.
“I remember President Mahama telling Dr. Bawumia and Nana Addo that they don’t know what it is like to be a president. They’ve never been there before, so he will not take an advice from them. Dr. Bawumia thought that just getting into the office as a vice president makes him to have some magic wand to solve economic problems with the theory, the textbook theories that he knew. And it has disappointed him.”
NDC’s Plan for Accountability
The NDC has made it clear that if it wins the 2024 elections, it will prioritize transparency and fiscal discipline. Mr. Quashie emphasized that the NDC government under John Dramani Mahama will ensure a full audit of public finances, including revisiting major deals.
He assured Ghanaians that no one involved in corrupt activities will be spared, including those within the NDC. “If any NDC member colluded with the NPP in their looting, they will be held accountable too,” Mr. Quashie affirmed.
A New Economic Approach
Mr. Benjamin Quashie stressed that the NDC would adopt a new approach to governing, focusing on prudent management of resources and inclusive governance. He hinted at a government that would prioritize infrastructure development, job creation, and fiscal discipline. A significant part of the NDC’s strategy will involve stakeholder engagement and restoring confidence in public institutions, such as the Bank of Ghana, which he criticized for being too aligned with the current administration.
“The NDC will listen to dissenting voices, bring together Ghanaians from all political sides, and work for the people. We will not repeat the mistakes of the current government,” Mr. Quashie stated.
Source: Newstitbits.com