The Executive Director of the Centre for Public Awareness and Opinion (CenPOA), a non-partisan, non-governmental civil organization, has advised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to avoid politics of mischief in order to restore its eroding integrity.

Michael Donyina Mensah was responding to the commentary by the NPP regarding the 2025 budget statement presented before Parliament on March 11, 2025.

He noted that describing the budget as an "azaa budget" is not only unfortunate but also politically insincere.

Mensah stated that although they may have their observations and opinions about the budget, they cannot describe it as an "azaa budget."

He explained that some of the projections made in the budget can be termed as "very ambitious," and it is acceptable for people to have their skepticism.

Speaking on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline, he said, “The minority may have reasons for referring to the budget as an ‘azaa budget.’ Some of the budget’s projections and policies are very ambitious, and when you have very ambitious policies or initiatives, people will be skeptical, which is understandable. However, referring to the budget as an ‘azaa budget’ is unacceptable. You could describe it as ‘very ambitious.’”

He then advised the opposition to avoid engaging in political mischief since that would further affect them.

“Ghana is gradually making progress, and so we have to avoid engaging in political mischief and politics of deception. Our politics must grow, and for it to grow, we have to be candid and credible. Should the NPP continue to engage in political mischief, it will erode the little credibility they have left in the eyes of the public.

“If you look at the absolute figures, you will agree that their argument about the spending by this government is true. But when you interrogate the budget, you will also conclude that their assertions are factually inaccurate.

"One of the issues they raised was about the expenditure of government machinery. Since President Mahama took over, he has realigned some of the ministries to reduce the numbers, and this has resulted in some changes. So if you look at the figures, don’t jump to conclusions and spread propaganda. When you do this and the public discovers you deceived them, they will lose trust in you.”