Opinions of Wednesday, 14 February 2024

Columnist: Michael Agbesi Kelly

Unraveling the ties: Bawumia’s inability to distance himself from Ghana’s economic mess

Mahamudu Bawumia Mahamudu Bawumia

In recent years, Ghana’s economy has faced numerous challenges, with high inflation rates, a weakening currency, and a growing public debt. While the blame for these issues cannot be placed solely on one individual, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia cannot absolve himself from the economic mess that the country finds itself in.

One of the main reasons why Bawumia cannot distance himself from the economic problems is his role as the head of the Economic Management Team. As the second-in-command in the government, he has been responsible for overseeing the country’s economic policies and ensuring their successful implementation. However, the results speak for themselves, and Ghana’s economy has not performed as well as expected under his watch.

Furthermore, Bawumia has often been vocal about his economic expertise and his ability to steer the country towards prosperity. He has frequently touted his academic qualifications and experience in finance, leading Ghanaians to have high expectations for his performance. However, these claims have not been matched by the economic outcomes experienced by the country.

Another reason why Bawumia cannot absolve himself from the economic mess is the government’s mismanagement of public funds. Ghana’s public debt has skyrocketed under the current administration, reaching unsustainable levels. This mismanagement has led to a decrease in investor confidence, a weakening currency, and limited access to credit, all of which have contributed to the economic challenges faced by the country.

Moreover, Bawumia’s promises of economic transformation and job creation have largely remained unfulfilled. Despite his claims of implementing policies to boost employment, many Ghanaians continue to struggle to find decent jobs and improve their living standards. The lack of tangible results in this area further highlights Bawumia’s inability to deliver on his economic promises.

Additionally, Bawumia cannot absolve himself from the economic mess due to the government’s failure to address corruption effectively. Corruption is a significant drain on the country’s resources and has a detrimental impact on economic growth. Despite promises to tackle corruption head-on, little progress has been made, and this has hindered Ghana’s economic development.

In conclusion, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia cannot absolve himself from the economic mess that Ghana finds itself in. His role as the head of the Economic Management Team, his claims of economic expertise, the mismanagement of public funds, unfulfilled promises, and the failure to address corruption all contribute to his responsibility for the current economic challenges. Ghana’s economy needs strong leadership and effective policies to overcome these difficulties, and it is clear that Bawumia has not delivered on these fronts.