Attributing enduring hardships to DDEP fundamentally misleading, disingenuous – Adongo to Amin Adam

Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, Isaac Adongo, has criticised the apology given by the Finance Minister with regards to the hardship this government has caused Ghanaians.

The Bolgatanga Central Member of Parliament says the apology is a reaction from the advice given by the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, that before Ghanaians accept their campaign message, they need to admit there is hardship and apologise.

Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, addressing a townhall meeting in Accra Tuesday, August 6, 2024, said government needed the domestic debt exchange programme to restructure its debts to secure the IMF facility.

He therefore asked Ghanaians to forgive the government for the harm it has caused them.

“We needed to restructure our debts because it was one of the requirements by the IMF. We started with the domestic debt exchange programme, the domestic exchange programme was very successful, achieving 95 per cent participation. On this note, I would like to appeal to the people of this country to forgive us,” the Minister stated.

In a response given by Mr. Adongo Sunday, August 11, 2024, he indicated that the apology is not from a contrite heart but aimed at wooing just to woo Ghanaians for votes.

“Although this feigned contrition strategy by the NPP is not new, it indicates a dismissive attitude towards the prevailing economic circumstances of the average Ghanaian. For seven years, we have been enduring the repercussions of deficient, ineffective, self-centered, and supercilious policies, decisions, and actions in the comprehensive governance of the economy,” he stated.

The legislator indicated that it would be misleading for the Finance Minister to attribute the economic challenges confronting the masses to the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) which was done in 2023, whilst the challenges have existed for almost 8 years.

“It is fundamentally misleading and disingenuous for anyone, particularly the Minister of Finance, to insinuate that the enduring hardships experienced by Ghanaians for a period exceeding five years are solely attributable to the DDEP conducted in 2023.

“The DDEP should be viewed as a remedial measure necessitated by the economic afflictions precipitated by the NPP’s mismanagement, avarice, and ineptitude during their nearly eight-year incumbency in government,” he said in parts of his statement.

Find below his full response to the Minister

Isaac Adongo writes….

DISHONEST APOLOGY: CONNING GHANAIANS AND MOCKING THEIR INTELLECT FOR ELECTORAL GAINS AND A SELFISH AGENDA

Earlier this week, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the newly appointed Finance Minister, humbly appealed to Ghanaians for their understanding and forgiveness for the hardships they have endured. Dr. Amin Adam emphasized that these hardships were a direct consequence of the necessary Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP), crucial for the successful implementation of the government’s IMF program.

The recent apology issued by the minister, despite its calculated nature, appears to align with the counsel provided by Kennedy Agyapong, an influential member of the NPP and Member of Parliament for Assin Central. Agyapong advised the party to extend an apology to the Ghanaian populace for the economic challenges prior to seeking their electoral endorsement in December. It is evident that Dr. Amin Adam is demonstrating attentiveness to Agyapong’s guidance pertaining to the augmentation of support for their party.

Although this feigned contrition strategy by the NPP is not new, it indicates a dismissive attitude towards the prevailing economic circumstances of the average Ghanaian. For seven years, we have been enduring the repercussions of deficient, ineffective, self-centered, and supercilious policies, decisions, and actions in the comprehensive governance of the economy.

It is fundamentally misleading and disingenuous for anyone, particularly the Minister of Finance, to insinuate that the enduring hardships experienced by Ghanaians for a period exceeding five years are solely attributable to the DDEP conducted in 2023. The DDEP should be viewed as a remedial measure necessitated by the economic afflictions precipitated by the NPP’s mismanagement, avarice, and ineptitude during their nearly eight-year incumbency in government.
At present, a significant number of Ghanaians, a majority of whom are responsible for dependents, were previously engaged in various financial institutions that were unilaterally closed by the NPP government. Consequently, they are currently unemployed, with many facing the risk of homelessness, and are confronted with challenges in securing sustainable means of livelihood. The affected families have endured a condition of destitution and adversity following the implementation of the banking sector cleanup, which was carried out in an anarchistic manner between 2017 and 2020. Numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are integral to our economic framework, were compelled to cease operations as a consequence of the government’s closure of Ghanaian-owned banks and Savings & Loans companies, which constituted their primary sources of working capital. Subsequently, the country has incurred an excess of GHS25 billion in public debt, with incomplete documentation justifying this allocation, ostensibly intended to protect depositors’ funds.
In recent years, a considerable number of Ghanaian enterprises have encountered closure primarily due to the progressively burdensome tax obligations. This can be principally attributed to the introduction of levies such as the E-Levy, the COVID-19 levy, the sanitation levy, and the financial sector clean-up levy. Numerous enterprises, particularly importers, have found it imperative to adjust pricing due to the NPP government’s imposition of the benchmark rate policy at the port, resulting in significant escalations in duties levied on imported commodities. The prevailing circumstances have been significantly exacerbated by the inadequate and chaotic exchange rate management within the Economic Management Team and by Ernest Addison. Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association and spare parts dealers have directly experienced the intolerable import conditions under which they are compelled to operate. The consistent escalation in import prices has profoundly impacted every Ghanaian household, necessitating arduous decisions in daily expenditure, contributing to reduced living standards, and exacerbating levels of poverty and unemployment.

In light of the adverse economic conditions experienced by Ghanaians under the incumbent NPP government over the course of nearly eight years, there have been notable concerns regarding the perceived preferential treatment accorded to familial relations and party associates in the allocation of multi-million-dollar contracts and state resources by Akufo-Addo, Bawumia, and Ken Ofori-Atta.

The daughters of Akufo-Addo and their ‘baby daddies’ have undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from their previous status to become successful entrepreneurs. They have managed to secure government contracts through sole-source arrangements, a feat they have not replicated in the private sector. Akufo-Addo’s brother, who was previously involved in small-scale chicken parts importation, has experienced a significant rise, now a major player in the importation of petroleum products for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), with significant influence at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). Meanwhile, Akufo-Addo’s close cousins have seen a sudden and significant surge in wealth, often indulging in luxurious stays at hotels in Southern Europe.

Dr. Bawumia’s spouse was actively outspoken against favouritism towards family and friends in the government before 2017. Subsequently, Dr. Bawumia himself has capitalized on government business opportunities. Concerns have been raised about his brother benefiting from substantial government contracts, resulting in increased tax burdens for the average Ghanaian. Additionally, questions arise about Dr. Amin Adam’s knowledge of public contracts awarded to companies connected to the former finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

The citizens of Ghana have observed the ostentatious expenditure of funds by prominent NPP officials at various public and private gatherings nationwide. This has prompted concerns regarding the apparent disproportionate distribution of resources, as it suggests that while the general populace has endured economic adversities stemming from imprudent fiscal management, individuals in positions of authority have seemingly continued to amass substantial wealth from public coffers with apparent impunity. Additionally, there have been reports indicating that substantial quantities of misappropriated funds are purportedly being safeguarded beneath the private beds of these individuals. It is high time we demand accountability and fair governance to bring about the change we need.

How can Dr. Amin Adam, widely perceived as an advocate for the underprivileged and a staunch proponent of fairness and parity, recommend that Ghanaians absolve his party and affirm their retention in power? Essentially, this proposition entails an implicit endorsement of the current administration’s inadequate economic stewardship, deficient leadership, disdain for the rule of law, institutionalized corruption, nepotism, and misappropriation of public funds via unscrupulous contracts, all of which have been enduring characteristics of the current administration since 2017.
It’s quite intriguing that despite substantial budget revenues (from increasing tax and non-tax revenue, three oil fields, and massive borrowing), the current NPP government seems inefficient in developing public infrastructure projects, whether large or small-scale. From as low as GHS122 billion in December 2016, this NPP, with Bawumia as head of the economic management team, increased the size of the public debt to almost GHS800 billion as of June this year. The data indicates that under the leadership and guidance of the NPP, particularly with Bawumia playing a pivotal role in advising on the borrowing policy, the public debt has increased by nearly GHS700 billion. Esteemed citizens, as you observe developments across our nation, do you perceive projects that accumulate to a value of almost GHS700 billion (or $89 billion when converted at the average exchange rate over eight years)? This situation is indeed noteworthy. Unbelievable!

The public debt has increased by GHS700 billion dollars, notwithstanding the consideration of taxes, grants, and other budgetary revenues received by the government during their term in office. Notably, they have garnered more revenue and received more grants than any other government in the Fourth Republic.

Dr. Amin Adam should strive to provide a comprehensive account of the government’s resource utilization instead of relying solely on scripted campaign rhetoric. It is crucial to acknowledge the widespread difficulties endured by a significant portion of the population, including the less privileged, middle-class individuals and both small and large-scale business proprietors during the regrettable tenure of the NPP government. Furthermore, attributing the unprecedented challenges faced by businesses and the increase in unemployment to the implementation of the DDEP in 2023 warrants careful consideration (emphasis).
In any case, did the NPP government engage in substantive consultation with the Ghanaian populace before executing the DDEP, a move that potentially resulted in the denial of investments to pensioners and others? The impact of this decision on the Ghanaian populace cannot be overstated. Alternatively, did the government employ coercive tactics on financial institutions and individual investors to compel acceptance of the DDEP without due process? Dr. Bawumia and the NPP should earnestly consider the grievances expressed by senior citizens, particularly the pension bondholders. Recently, these individuals have staged protests outside the Ministry of Finance and dispatched numerous letters to both the Presidency and the Ministry, imploring for the release of their funds. It is imperative to empathize with these individuals, who are effectively seeking the return of their invested funds and who are inadvertently trapped due to the imprudence of others. These funds constitute a vital lifeline for them, enabling the purchase of essential medications and sustenance in the face of rapidly escalating living costs. Notably, with inflation having surged to an alarming 54.1% and the prices of essential commodities witnessing a near bi-annual doubling, urgent attention to this matter is warranted. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the government to display compassion and expeditiously address this matter.

The annoying thing about all of this is that the NPP government ignored sound advice that could have saved everyone this mess by putting partisanship before prudence in the so-called financial sector clean-up exercise. They used the Bank of Ghana and Ernest Addison to collapse people’s businesses, illegally print money, and devalue the Cedi. They promised to reduce taxes but have imposed the most draconian. They trampled on truth and transparency requirements and prioritized corrupt and nepotistic procurements and contracting. They promised a Messi in a Ronaldo, called a Chef Failatu, but delivered a ‘Chef Smith’ in a Bawumia, to whom the word economics is now taboo. To think that in all of this, NPP government functionaries would show up and nonchalantly ask to be forgiven because of votes in the election season is even very distasteful, to say the least. People with a reputation for integrity would have stepped away and asked for a clean start. But no, these are a group of people who are out for their interest, not the interest of the average Ghanaian. The families of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia, together with their associates and influential members of the NPP party, have maintained a considerable degree of insulation from the prevailing challenges in our nation for a duration exceeding five years. Currently, their objective is the avoidance of autonomous investigation and exposure for the misappropriation of resources, all the while continuing to promote their self-serving form of governance. Notwithstanding the presentation of high-sounding initiatives like “Gold for Oil” and the stabilization of the Cedi with gold, it is discernible that individuals connected to them have reaped significant profits while contributing to our national budgetary shortfalls.

Thankfully, Ghanaians are discerning enough to know that Dr. Amin Adam’s shocking public mea culpa (obviously on behalf of his bosses) is just a ploy to win votes by preying on our magnanimous and godly nature. Ghanaians must show courage and choose wisely for their future by voting for John Dramani Mahama, the tried and tested leader, to rescue Ghana from perfidy and incompetent, selfish leadership and to change the course of this country. If a doctor’s wrong decisions result in loss of life, similar to the impact of Akufo-Addo, Bawumia, Ken, and Amin’s actions that have depleted investment funds for pensioners and senior citizens, would the affected families be seeking a formal apology?

By Isaac Adongo,
Member of Parliament, Bolgatanga Central
Ranking Member, Finance Committee of Parliament

Source:onuaonline.com