Greater Accra Regional NDC Chairman Endorses Mahama Speech On State Of The Economy

GREATER Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Joseph Kobina Ade-Coker, has endorsed the thirty-nine (39) pages of the comprehensive speech made by the former President, His Excellence Dramani Mahama and offered solutions on how to recover the current broken economy under the ruling of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.

According to Mr. Coker, he has totally backed former President Dramani Mahama call made at an event dubbed “Building the Nation We want”, on Thursday, October 27, 2022 in Accra to President Akufo-Addo to cut cost, reduce waste and spend wisely to restore the economy back to its good state he (President John Dramani Mahama) left for the NPP in 2016.

The NDC stalwart stated that the NDC has left a very good and sound economy in the year 2016 for the NPP government and President Akufo-Addo but they had messed up the country's economic prospects which has brought severe hardships to many Ghanaians.

He said he is in full support of Mr Mahama to advise the government to abolish or realign state institutions with similar functions while suspending non-essential projects.

Again, the 2020 flagbearer of the NDC backed calls for the dismissal of the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta from office; adding that his removal will not affect the ongoing negotiations between Ghana and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"A big contributor to the excessive public expenditure is the sheer size of government. President Akufo-Addo has been particularly irresponsible in keeping a needlessly large government. At a point, we had over 120 ministers in his government with hundreds of political appointees at the Presidency and others attached to ministers and state organisations.

"While the President has cut down this number, there is still room for a further reduction including merging some Ministries to reduce expenditure and cut down the number of Ministers to below 65. It is also necessary to trim the large number of political appointees who have sought refuge in the Flagstaff House. This will reflect the necessities of the time and the need for modesty and prudence" former President Dramani Mahama noted.

Former president John Dramani Mahama has stressed that there is a need for all and sundry to protect the current constitutional dispensation despite mounting economic challenges.

Mr Mahama admonished especially the Armed Forces and other security services against unconstitutional takeovers.

"... let me state that I agree with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and wish to add my voice to his call on our Armed Forces and security services to remain loyal to the State and the Constitution.

"The current economic circumstances though dire, do not give [an] excuse for any acts that are unconstitutional. Working together as one people and using the levers of the constitution, we can turn this situation around," he submitted to loud applause from the audience at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, UPSA; auditorium.

As part of his presentation, the 2020 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, outlined a number of short, medium and long-term solutions to the current economic crisis that the government was grappling with.

However, in an interview with some senior journalists on Friday October 28, 2022 to find out about his take of the speech made by Mr Dramani Mahama, Mr Coker congratulated former President for making such a brilliant presentation at the event held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, UPSA; auditorium.

He stressed the need for Ghanaians, particularly those who have voting power to listen to the numerous good advises being offered by President Dramani Mahama to salvage the country's economy which has been collapsed by President Akufo-Addo and his NPP government.

Mr Coker stated that the critical analysis made from the whole statement made by President Dramani Mahama clearly shows that he (John Dramani Mahama) is a great statesman who has the country at heart.

"I must state on authority that former President Dramani Mahama speech was a clear testament that he is a good leader to be re-elected as our next President to recover the country's broke economy," Mr Coker stated.

In this sense, Mr Coker believes that it is high for eligible voting Ghanaians to rally behind Mr Dramani Mahama by way of voting massively for him to win the political power in the 2024 general elections to safeguard the broken economy from President Akufo-Addo and his NPP government.