The Minority caucus in Parliament has issued a strong rebuttal to President John Mahama’s recent State of the Nation Address, offering their assessment of Ghana’s economic condition and what they describe as the government’s failure to manage critical sectors effectively.
At a press conference on Monday, March 3, 2025, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, former Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Karaga, presented a critical analysis of the government’s economic performance. He highlighted key concerns, including energy supply, employment, infrastructure development, and government spending.
Erratic Power Supply and Economic Impact
Dr. Adam emphasized Ghana’s ongoing power supply issues, describing the erratic electricity situation as a major setback for businesses and the broader economy. He urged the government to release a load-shedding timetable to help businesses plan and mitigate financial losses caused by persistent power outages.
Petroleum Sector and Oil Discoveries
Dr. Adam criticized the Mahama administration for signing contracts with 13 companies that lacked the technical and financial capacity for successful oil exploration. However, he acknowledged significant progress under President Akufo-Addo’s administration, citing discoveries such as Pecan South-East and Nyankom-1X. He also noted that production from the Jubilee Field increased by 30,000 barrels per day in 2023, marking a significant boost to oil output.
Government Spending and Economic Challenges
Expressing concerns over weak economic growth prospects for 2025, Dr. Adam attributed the sluggish performance to the mismanagement of public finances. Despite a GHS68 billion budget for the first quarter of 2025, many government projects have stalled due to unpaid contractors, leading to job losses and further economic strain, particularly among young Ghanaians.
Job Losses and Employment Crisis
Dr. Adam accused the Mahama administration of orchestrating job cuts to create vacancies for political allies. He referred to President Mahama as “Terminator 1,” citing thousands of young Ghanaians dismissed from their jobs, worsening the country’s unemployment crisis.
Challenges in the Fight Against Galamsey
The former Finance Minister also addressed the persistent issue of illegal mining (galamsey), criticizing both past and present administrations for failing to tackle the problem effectively. He expressed alarm over reports of illegal mining activities involving NDC figures in the Ashanti region and questioned why illegal miners were operating with impunity, causing extensive damage to Ghana’s forest reserves.
Infrastructure Development and Housing Projects
Dr. Adam highlighted the housing achievements of the previous administration, including the completion of stalled projects inherited in 2017, such as the Asokore Mampong housing project and the Adenta SHC estates. He criticized the Mahama government for redirecting funds meant for infrastructure projects to other ventures instead of continuing critical developments.
Road Sector Achievements and Claims of Misrepresentation
Defending the NPP’s achievements in road infrastructure, Dr. Adam cited the completion of over 13,000 kilometers of roads from 2017 to 2024, surpassing the achievements of the previous administration. He dismissed NDC claims that these figures were misleading, explaining that the projects included new constructions, rehabilitations, and upgrades. He further highlighted the completion of nine interchanges under the Akufo-Addo administration, compared to just five under Mahama. Citing a World Bank report, he noted that Ghana’s road density and rural accessibility exceeded regional averages, underscoring the progress made in infrastructure development.
Education and TVET Sector Transformation
Dr. Adam discussed developments in education, particularly in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). While commending the government’s continued implementation of the Free Senior High School (FSHS) program, he noted that many of the initiatives outlined by President Mahama were already being successfully implemented under the NPP administration. He emphasized the NPP’s reforms in the TVET sector, including the establishment of the Commission for TVET (CTVET), the introduction of Free TVET, and the construction of new centers of excellence.
Call for Economic Strategy Shift
The Minority urged the government to rethink its economic strategy and address critical challenges, including the ongoing energy crisis, high unemployment, and stalled infrastructure projects. Dr. Adam stressed that while the NDC sought to undermine the achievements of the previous administration, the NPP’s policies had made a tangible and positive impact on various sectors of the economy.
The press conference served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Ghana under the current administration and the need for a more effective and coherent approach to secure the nation’s economic future.