Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has accused the current government of mismanaging a total of $11.5 billion of loans acquired over the last eight years, claiming that the funds could have been better utilized to drive transformative projects in Ghana.
Speaking at a special prayer service with the Muslim community at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Mahama expressed disappointment with the way the government had handled the massive loan, suggesting that proper management of these funds could have helped propel Ghana’s development to the level of global cities like Dubai.
He compared the current government’s performance with his administration, where he highlighted the strategic use of a $3.5 billion loan to fund critical projects. These included the expansion of the Tema Harbour, the construction of Terminal 3 at the Kotoka International Airport, and several other initiatives aimed at boosting national growth.
“President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo borrowed to a tune of $11.5 billion just within 5 years. Despite all the developmental projects that I championed when I was president, we only borrowed to the tune of $3.5 billion. If I had borrowed to the tune of $11.5 billion when I was president, Ghana would have been developed like Dubai,” he said.
He stressed that proper investment and management of such funds could have accelerated Ghana’s development, positioning it as a key player on the international stage.