Vice Presidential Candidate of the Alliance for Revolutionary Change and Movement for Change, Lawyer Ernest Kwame Owusu Danso, has expressed deep concern over the track record of governments in Ghana.
Delivering his acceptance speech for the position of running mate on Friday, September 20, 2024, he highlighted how Ghanaians have often been presented with technocrats and economic experts, only to be disappointed by their performance in office.
He pointed to the current Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is seeking the presidency. “In 2016, Dr. Bawumia was introduced as the solution to the nation’s economic woes, armed with impressive titles and complex economic terminology that many Ghanaians found hard to understand. He promised stability in the economy and the cedi, aiming to shift the nation from taxation to production. Yet, today, the cedi is in free fall, basic commodity prices have soared beyond reach, and the economy is on the brink of collapse”.
Lawyer Owusu Danso questioned the feasibility of Dr. Bawumia’s aspirations for the presidency, sarcastically asking whether Ghanaians could expect a cedi worth 2 trillion, or if they would face severe hardships in retirement. He lamented the possibility of Ghana becoming a “banana republic” under such leadership.
Reflecting on the past, he noted that Ghana experienced significant economic growth under the late Professor John Evans Atta Mills, with a remarkable growth rate of 14.3%. However, following Mills’ death, the economy struggled under former President John Mahama, leading to an IMF bailout when growth fell to 3.4%.
He said the economic situation has only worsened over the last decade under President Nana Addo and Vice President Bawumia, pushing the nation further into distress.
He emphasized that today, basic necessities like food and fuel have become luxuries for many families, while the depreciating currency has driven countless Ghanaians into poverty. Small and medium-sized enterprises, once the backbone of the economy, now suffer from excessive taxes, high-interest rates, and an unstable business environment. Foreign investment has decreased, and local industries are failing against cheaper imports, all due to a lack of focus on industrialization and sustainable growth.
He warned that the youth, full of potential, face a grim future as thousands of graduates struggle to find opportunities.
According to him, the informal sector, which sustains millions, is hindered by inadequate access to capital, and corruption continues to sap the economy’s strength.
He called for a change in leadership, urging Ghanaians to reject leaders who prioritize personal interests over the needs of the populace. He lamented the ongoing challenges posed by illegal mining, which threaten the nation’s very existence.
He affirmed that the Alliance for Revolutionary Change and the Movement for Change offer a clear alternative. With the right leadership, vision, and policies outlined in their Great Transformational Plan, Ghana can become a land of opportunity where every citizen’s potential is recognized and rewarded.