‘Ghana’s economy grew 500% under Kufuor but 52% under NDC’

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PRINCE KWASI ADADE (OFIE P33) 8 years ago

AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, c ...
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AUTHOR: SEE BELOW----------------------------
It would be recalled that before Election 2000, the Rawlings's P/NDC had ruled Ghana for 19 solid years. This era, as we all know, was marked by human rights abuses, tribalism, corruption, economic hardship, cash and carry system, and more seriously, serial killings of women.

What then did President John Agyekum Kufuor and his NPP do with the power given him between 2001 and 2009? This write-up seeks to find the answer under social infrastructure, policies & programmes, and good governance.

ON SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE • Kufuor's tenure witnessed the construction of two new sports stadia at Essipong and Tamale; the rehabilitation of both Accra and Kumasi sports stadia, and another sports complex in Cape Coast.

• Under Kufuor, a new Presidential Palace was built to house the president and his family; the Accra-Tema commuter railway line was constructed, and the Keta Sea Defence wall was built to protect the people of Keta.

• A $622m loan was secured for the construction of the Bui Dam & Bui City Project; the Boankra Inland Port was started (now abandoned); major feeder and trunk roads (Accra-Kumasi-Aflao-Kasoa-Cape Coast, Aburi), several by-passes in Accra and Kumasi including the Sofoline and Asafo interchange, and George Walker Bush 14km High Way were all constructed.

• The Peduase Lodge, which had been abandoned was restored; several boreholes were drilled to end the perennial water problems in Cape Coast and Tamale; the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expanded; the Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, and state-of-the art wood village at Sokoban in Kumasi for Anloga carpenters were all built.

• Another legacy of Kufuor is the construction of the Accident and Emergency Centre with a landing base at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). This has saved several precious lives.

• Besides, 56 existing senior high schools were upgraded as Model Schools; two institutions (University of Education, Winneba, and University of Mines & Technology) were given autonomy to run as public universities, UDS had Campuses at Wa and Bolgatanga, 21 new senior high schools, 1,334 new JHS blocks, 1,331 primary schools, and 5,164 pre-schools were built.

• Also, over 5,000 affordable housing units at various parts of the country were built. A cocoa processing plant was built in Kumasi. The West African Gas Pipe Line was nearly completed. There was expansion of the road network from 39,000 km of accessible roads to 65,000 km by 2008.

• The Ghana @ 50 ‘legacy’ projects like recreational parks, renovation of public buildings, and historical monuments across all the 10 regions and their district capitals were built. The government also built 14 fishing harbours in our fishing communities.

ON POLICIES & PROGRAMMES • The Kufuor government introduced free basic education through the capitation grant (fee- free). There was school feeding programme where pupils from some selected public basic schools were given one hot meal a day.

• The National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced to replace the cash and carry system and make health care affordable. There was also the introduction of free maternal care to reduce child mortality.

• The government frequently released brand new buses to GPRTU, and introduced the metro mass transit, replaced the Ghana Airways with Ghana International Airlines (all meant to improve the transportation system.

• The NPP introduced the Northern Development Fund with a US$25m seed fund to reduce the North-South poverty gap; free bus ride for school kids, brought Zoom Lion Company Limited to rid our cities of filth, created Youth Fund with a $50m seed money and instituted the National Youth Employment Programme, which rolled out seven programmes including community police, teaching assistance, health care, agric extension, etc to reduce the country’s high unemployment.

• Kufuor also introduced the mass cocoa spraying exercise, frequently increased the producer price of cocoa; subsidised fertilizer, and made prompt payment of bonuses to cocoa farmers.

• In his quest to mechanise agriculture, the Kufuor government imported 3,331 brand new tractors, but unfortunately, Mahama Ayariga, and Alban Bagbin used their positions in government to buy some at only GHC1,000.

• The annual cocoa yield increased from 350 metric tonnes in 2000 to 750 metric tonnes in 2006 with an income of US$1bn to the economy. By 2010, Ghana had hit 1m cocoa production. This feat alone moved Ghana from the 4th position to the 2nd position in terms of the world’s leading producers of the product.

• The size of the Ghana's economy quadrupled from US$3.9m in 2008 to US$16.3m in 2008, thus ending the year with GDP growth rate of 8.4%.

• Whilst inflation was reduced from 40% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2006 (single digit) and later 18% in 2008, interest rate fell from 50% to 25% during the period under consideration. The daily minimum wage was increased from 42Gp (4,200 old cedis) in 2000 to GHC2.25 (22,500 old cedis) in 2009.

• A New Education Reform was put in place in 2007 with special emphasis on Maths, Science, Vocational and ICT. Kindergarten education officially became part of our basic education system.

• The admission of JHS graduates into SHS was computerised to reduce corruption and hassle of parents; there was Baah-Wiredu Laptop project aimed at giving one laptop to every school child.

• All the 38 Teacher Training Colleges were upgraded into tertiary status (Colleges of Education); Distance education programme was introduced for teachers and workers.

• The government also introduced Untrained Teacher Education Programme for Pupil Teachers to become trained teachers, Access Course to Teacher Training Colleges for SHS graduates who could not do well in Maths and English. The purpose was to upgrade the knowledge of the teacher, beef up the teacher population, and subsequently help to address the falling educational standards in the country.

• Private universities sprung from 4 to over 50, whilst existing infrastructure in the public universities and other public tertiary institutions were expanded through the GETFund.

• The SSNIT Loan Scheme was restructured for students to take more loans. Plans were far advanced to start not only Single Spine Salary Structure for public sector workers, but also a new 3-tier pension scheme for both private and public sector workers.

ON GOOD GOVERNANCE • His Excellency, President J. A. Kufuor tolerated all shades of opinion and verbal abused from ‘Dr.’ Asemfoforo, an NDC paid serial caller, and J. J. Rawlings, who at one time referred to the then sitting President as ‘Ataa Ayi’ - a notorious armed robber.

• Ghanaians witnessed the National Reconciliation; the reburial of three former heads of state namely; Okatakyie Afrifa, Gen. I.K. Acheampong and Gen. F.W.K Akufo and five senior military officers, who were executed in 1979 by J. J. Rawlings.

• In addition, over 100 assets of noble and hard working citizens seized by J.J. Rawlings were deconfiscated to their owners.

• The criminal libel and seditious laws which had provided 10 years’ maximum imprisonment for offenders was repealed. The People’s Assembly concept which made it possible for Ghanaians to interact with the President and his Ministers on yearly basis was instituted.

• There was all-inclusive governance with the likes of Mallam Issah (PNC), Dr. Paa Nduom, Prof. Badu Akosah, Prof. Hagan - all CPP leading members, working under the NPP administration. Kufuor also facilitated the appointments of Dr. Ibn Chambas as the Secretary General of ECOWAS, and Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of CTO.

• Kufuor created 60 additional districts and raised some of them to municipal & metropolitan status to facilitate local governance. The District Assembly Common Fund was increased from 5% to 7.5%.

• There was a plethora of FM Radio stations, regular media encounters with the President, broadcasting of news in the major local dialects on the Ghana Television (GTV), which hitherto had been in English and Akan.

• The Kufuor government passed the Representation of the People Amendment act (ROPAA) into law to enfranchise Ghanaians in the diaspora, though Afari Gyan failed to make it operational.

• Kufuor should also be commended for the expansion of mobile phone network across the length and breadth of the country as he removed tariffs on mobile phone importation.

• Kufuor created a Ministry for Public Sector Reform with the view to developing a new and positive mindset for public sector workers; Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs to empower women and improve their lot; and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs to tap the rich expertise of our noble traditional leaders.

• Also, June 4 and the 31st December were removed from the statute books as public holidays. The 64th Infantry Regiment were disbanded to other units to ensure discipline in the Armed Forces.

• Kufuor featured regularly at all G-8 Summits. His excellent diplomatic relations with world leaders enabled Ghana not only to attract attention and investment worldwide, but also he was unanimously elected to chair both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Under his leadership, Ghana had the opportunity to assume the rotational presidency of the UN Security Council.

• President Kufuor also won several international awards including the Chatham House Prize Award in 2008 as a result of peace and economic growth which characterised his two terms in office. No wonder he was given a rousing welcome by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England.

• Again, President Kufuor took a leading role in mediating in regional conflicts including those in Liberia, La Cote D’Ivoire, Kenya, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

• As a true democrat, he was even criticised by his own party members and sympathisers for not hanging onto power before the Tain by-elections when the NPP’s Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was leading in the 2008 Presidential elections.

• Kufuor is on record as the only President who left office in the peaceful manner in which he entered it. This is indeed a lasting legacy because all his predecessors were either overthrown by the military or metamorphosed themselves into civilian presidents.

• Kufuor introduced the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme, where the aged and other vulnerable people in Ghana were paid monthly allowances of between 8 and 15 Ghana cedis.

• Under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to cut in half the proportion of its people who suffer from hunger. He and LUIZ DA SILVA of Brazil jointly received the 2011 World Food Prize.

• He introduced micro finance loans to help small and medium-scale businesses, the Export Development Fund (EDIF), the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which makes it possible for local producers to access the US market, as well as, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Programmes I & II were all aimed at improving the lot of Ghanaians.

• The Kufuor-led NPP administration purchased VALCO from the Americans at a cosmic sum of US$20m.

• On corruption, a minister of state under his administration was charged for wilfully causing financial loss to the state and together with other members of the previous government, was sentenced to a prison term.

• Ghana was the first country in Africa to submit herself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It would also interest readers to note that for the first time in 50 years, Ghana under the leadership of Kufuor earned a respectable B+ rating on the international financial scene in 2006 and this indeed, facilitated the country’s successful bid to access over US$ 750m from the Eurobond market.

• The passage of the Public Procurement Act, Financial Administration Act, Internal Audit Agency Act, which made the agency exceed its revenue target every year, the Office of Accountability Act, the Whistle Blowers Act, the importation of new police uniforms and over 1000 police vehicles to combat crime, the Right to Information bill, the establishment of Fast Track High Courts, the strengthening of state institutions like the SFO, CHRAJ, among others, were all geared towards the eradication of this social evil in the Ghanaian society.

• Last but not the least, Ghana under Kufuor’s reign became the largest recipient of Millennium Challenge Account funds of US$547m to combat poverty in Ghana. The bilateral and multilateral debt cancellations as a result of Ghana joining the Heavily Indebted and Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and the UN's and World Bank’s lucrative jobs for His Excellency, J. A. Kufuor even before the 2008 general elections make him stand tall among his contemporaries. He made Ghana, an oil producing country as oil was struck in commercial quantities in 2010.

How could the excellent record enumerated above be a factor to the NPP's electoral defeat? I leave it for the judgement of the Ghanaian voter in 2016.

God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!

Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri (Free SHS Ambassador) Official blog: (www.katakyie.com) katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk 0202471070 : 0264931361 : 0547851100
Whatever 8 years ago

Economy grew by 500%? yet our own Ghana Telecom had to carted and sold to pay Teachers in 2008. Fast forward to 2015, has such a thing happened...nowhere

Economy grew by 500%? yet our own Ghana Telecom had to carted and sold to pay Teachers in 2008. Fast forward to 2015, has such a thing happened...nowhere
insight to the bone 8 years ago

Collective guilt will not fly over this matter of epidemic corruption. Looking at the genesis and the mechanisms or root cause of this phenomenon we know exactly who the culprits are. This system was first developed in our co ...
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Collective guilt will not fly over this matter of epidemic corruption. Looking at the genesis and the mechanisms or root cause of this phenomenon we know exactly who the culprits are. This system was first developed in our country by elements close to Kwame Nkrumah and his political desire to build a cult personality just as we see today with Bawumia and before him JJ. Kojo Tsikata and his warped minded cronies and criminals from national security are the ones responsible as they designed and implemented the system. This is a system of Negative selection which doesnt allow our best to be called to serve rather prefers treacherous traitors , individuals of no morals or integrity all having perverse deviant character traits. In a corrupt society the undeserving , unqualified , incompetent with no empathy prosper while the opposite are marginalized , lynched or even killed as we have witnessed with Atta Mills, Acheampong , Ankrah and others. We mentioned the other day 2 sons of the Akans ( Kofi Anann and Sam Jonah) who invited to serve would turn the country around in less than a year but are no where on the political horizon talk less of being enabled to contribute anything positive to the nation. The truth be told we have over half a million (500,000) very highly qualified patriotic citizens from ALL tribes who can perform and are competent but they dare not raise their heads due to the vicious nature of The NDC , National security and other security agencies that have a strangle hold on the political climate. I advise all to verify these things i say and investigate the truth for themselves. Do we not have the likes of Daniel Tetteh ( a Ga in Databank), the sons of Dr agama (Ewes ) and countless Northerners with global achievement such as Baba Abu the banker? How come none of these well accomplished professionals have been thrown away to the roadside after all the investment our people have put in them? NDC is gone but the battle to bring things in order doesnt end there rather we need to remain vigilant and work to transform the politics by eliminating these useless remnants that have infiltrated every party. Mahama's treachery goes beyond incompetence as its only a symptom , the root cause is plain simple evil wickedness mixed with the retrogressive forces of his Islamic background. Corruption another symptom is part of the strategy to weaken the institutions of state , erase integrity and morals so we forever remain in this quicksand of poverty and backwardness . Incompetence implies amateurism , political illiteracy , ignorance etc but we say this is very deliberate as its supported by national security and other security agencies , practically all institutions of state are in compliance with the destruction or wanton looting of Akan wealth and future because they know its not theirs.To illustrate this point we will elaborate , imagine there is an ailing child that needs a heart operation or even simple appendix removal but pepeni president comes along and says i have the constitutional right to appoint the medical officer , so instead of appointing an experienced capable doctor he says my brother muslim pepeni is a butcher and knows how to cut flesh so he is appointed instead . Then the rest of us idiots are surprised and amazed when every time there is a patient things go wrong and there is death and misery all over the place. Then pepeni omanhene gets up and says npp vowed to make the country ungovernable so is to blame and sets all institutions of state to work at the destruction of the innocent npp. Now we return and all i say is just look at this govt and what do you really see , people deliberately in place who can never deliver , perform or do anything right in a thousand years, all of them sophisticated criminals posers and professional liars. The opposition we see is in a very sorry state as they have been infiltrated by these agent provocateurs , spies and sleepers . They cant even organise a simple house to house or door to door campaign due to internal sabotage and obstruction. We advise all decent citizens and Akans to continue the campaign individually to remove this evil NDC and make sure they dont even get 5% of the vote , then we shall see how the BNI will rig the elections for them. In our opinion any party not affiliated to the NDC is a good start and we shall make sure we dismiss 90% of the police force , BNI , national security and ministries civil service and replace them with more loyal ,patriotic and deserving citizens. A bad tree will always produce bad fruit such as we see with JJ and his offspring ashawo daughter who is only good for licking men's balls. Our advice especially to our diaspora is to avoid any family which supports NDC as they are nothing but gold diggers , fake users with no love in their hearts except interests. These ndc women all have one thing in common,irrational greed, no morals , no wisdom and no justice in their hearts just fine tuned in the art of lies and deceit.
ost 8 years ago

is k4 nana.

is k4 nana.
Mahmoud 8 years ago

Governance under the NDC government is all about 'opium of the people. They enjoy everything under the sun but ask us to wait for our basic needs in heaven. And as they ask us to tighten our belts for future betterment, they' ...
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Governance under the NDC government is all about 'opium of the people. They enjoy everything under the sun but ask us to wait for our basic needs in heaven. And as they ask us to tighten our belts for future betterment, they've already loosened theirs for immediate consumption. They didn't even respect our intelligence when they said there would be paradise in Ghana if we gave them another mandate after the 2016 elections. The truth is that, everything they promise is a mirage and we will never find comfort under them because; they are con-men with con plans.
Ghanaian 8 years ago

No wander we are where we are this are the economics we have as a nation, he should tell Ghanaian how much it costs them to denominate the cedi.

No wander we are where we are this are the economics we have as a nation, he should tell Ghanaian how much it costs them to denominate the cedi.
RIMA 8 years ago

DONT MESS WITH BROTHER BAWUMIA

DONT MESS WITH BROTHER BAWUMIA
Nana Ansah 8 years ago

The whole world economy has been facing recession since July 2007. So for a so called economist to make such assertion is silly to say the least. Even the almighty capitalist America has to bail out Wall Street. Some in Ameri ...
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The whole world economy has been facing recession since July 2007. So for a so called economist to make such assertion is silly to say the least. Even the almighty capitalist America has to bail out Wall Street. Some in America like to call Obama socialist but he was the one who saved the capitalist. Unfortunately he could save too big to fail Lehman Brothers. Hello! That was a crash! boom! bang! So for Bawumia to go about telling the NPP fool soldiers dirty stuff is very dishonest. The global impact of this crisis buried the Lehman Brothers investment Bank in 2008. Lehman Brothers was declared insolvent and it is today history.

Let us remind Bawumia that even China has a single digit growth now. Most of the emerging markets are feeling the pinch as well. From Brazil to you name it. Come on Bawumia debate the issue from the source and stop being superficial. A lie has no legs.
Nana Ansah 8 years ago

Should read: Unfortunately he could not save too big to fail Lehman Brothers.

Should read: Unfortunately he could not save too big to fail Lehman Brothers.
Ukulele 8 years ago

I am not sure about this so called Dr. Is he a Dr of Economics or something else. Of course Kufuor would and should achieve 500% as (a) he was working from a low base (b) the economical conditions were extremely positive at ...
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I am not sure about this so called Dr. Is he a Dr of Economics or something else. Of course Kufuor would and should achieve 500% as (a) he was working from a low base (b) the economical conditions were extremely positive at that time compared to what they are now. These are simple facts a person who in Bawumia's capacity should have understood if he were to be an Economist and not playing "stupid" politics. This is one of the reasons Ghana is not progressing. A person like Bawumia who claims to have a Doctorate Degree of some sort (presumably Economics) is not able to make a clear judgement using a simple statistical analysis OR who is deliberately lying to a common Ghanaian is totally unfit to be in a position to run a country. This is scary.. Ghana watch out....
zoko biz Chicago 8 years ago

you are 100% right. This so called economist is deceiving people who do not know anything about economic growth. what are factors that make a developing and dependent economy to grow? The biggest economy in the world, the USA ...
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you are 100% right. This so called economist is deceiving people who do not know anything about economic growth. what are factors that make a developing and dependent economy to grow? The biggest economy in the world, the USA has been struggling to grow over 3% since 2007.80% of what contributes to an economic growth come from the private sector and the USA as a capitalist State could not still grow that fast. In Ghana 80% of the growth depends on the gov't and the private sector has little to contribute or barely make any contribution and so where could that 500% growth come from. you think of countries like Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico and many others whose economies are far better than Ghana yet suffered depression. where he is getting his figures from? He should remember that Ghana depends on the almighty dollar and could not have grown 20% with the unstable cedi.
Garuba 8 years ago

Vodoo economics at it's best. 500% in 8 yeas. Thus 62.5% annually.

Vodoo economics at it's best. 500% in 8 yeas. Thus 62.5% annually.
Lord gee 8 years ago

Foreigner!!! is becos u are afar , sleeping , dreaming that s y u couldn't see what is happening here ( in Ghana)

Foreigner!!! is becos u are afar , sleeping , dreaming that s y u couldn't see what is happening here ( in Ghana)
Kofi, US 8 years ago

DONKY BAWUMIA STOP THE BULL SHIT LAIRS LAIRS LAIRS ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS SHOWS, CLEARLY HOW USELESS THIS S P DR DONKY BAWUMIA IS .

DONKY BAWUMIA STOP THE BULL SHIT LAIRS LAIRS LAIRS ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS SHOWS, CLEARLY HOW USELESS THIS S P DR DONKY BAWUMIA IS .
BRUTAL 8 years ago

WAA LOOK!!!!!!!!! KOFI INCOPITENT THIS ALL WHAT U SABI YOUR FATHER IS A DONKY THATS MAHAMA AND AMISSAR THE HOMOSEXUALS THIS GENTLEMAN ALWAYS TEACHES YOU BUT KWASEA.............O G U A N MEEEEEE

WAA LOOK!!!!!!!!! KOFI INCOPITENT THIS ALL WHAT U SABI YOUR FATHER IS A DONKY THATS MAHAMA AND AMISSAR THE HOMOSEXUALS THIS GENTLEMAN ALWAYS TEACHES YOU BUT KWASEA.............O G U A N MEEEEEE
DIET 8 years ago

KUFOUR PRESIDED OVER THE MOST CORRUPT GOVT IN THE HISTORY OF GHANA.HIS GOVT CREATED OVERNIGHT MILLIONAIRES THROUGH CORRUPTION MOST OF WHOM WERE HIS RELATIVES. ARE WE GLORIFYING CORRUPTION? KUFOUR HIMSELF SAID CORRUPTION START ...
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KUFOUR PRESIDED OVER THE MOST CORRUPT GOVT IN THE HISTORY OF GHANA.HIS GOVT CREATED OVERNIGHT MILLIONAIRES THROUGH CORRUPTION MOST OF WHOM WERE HIS RELATIVES. ARE WE GLORIFYING CORRUPTION? KUFOUR HIMSELF SAID CORRUPTION STARTED FROM ADAM AND EVE.
PRINCE KWASI ADADE (OFIE P33) 8 years ago

KUFFUOR FOUGHT CORRUPTION!! HE JAILED 6 HIGH PROFILE NDC THIEVES. NDC TRIED OVER 26 NPP FUNCTIONARIES BUT THEY WERE ALL FOUND TO BE CLEAN. WHOM HAS NDC JAILED IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION???? LOOK, HONOURABLE MARTIN ALAMIS ...
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KUFFUOR FOUGHT CORRUPTION!! HE JAILED 6 HIGH PROFILE NDC THIEVES. NDC TRIED OVER 26 NPP FUNCTIONARIES BUT THEY WERE ALL FOUND TO BE CLEAN. WHOM HAS NDC JAILED IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION???? LOOK, HONOURABLE MARTIN ALAMISI STOOD AGAINST THE PRESENT DAY NDC CRIMINALS TO WEED THEM OUT BUT THE SO CALLED ASOMDWE HENE FIRED HIM. THE VERY FOUNDER OF NDC COULD NOT HELP BUT LABELLED NDC AS GREEDY CORRUPT BASTARDS. OUR SUPREME COURT ALSO HAS DESCRIBED NDC THIEVERY AS "CREATE LOOT AND SHARE" . WAS THIS THE ECONOMY NDC TOOK OVER FROM NPP??? COME ON!! THINK!! WE HAVE WITNESSED UNPRECEDENTED CORRUPT ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS NDC RULE THAT HAS BROUGHT OUR ECONOMY TOTALLY DOWN. 2016 WILL COME. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME!!!!!
Gh 8 years ago

Masa gyii gyemea nuu,nah u fool too much.Im sure as at now,u are jobless sleeping in darkness.Gymii ,gymii keep voting foolishly.

Masa gyii gyemea nuu,nah u fool too much.Im sure as at now,u are jobless sleeping in darkness.Gymii ,gymii keep voting foolishly.
Kojo T 8 years ago

Bawuia as usual working from a vacuum.Please compare the growth rates to other countries like SA and Nigeria or Cote DIvoire or Kenya tomake it rlevantv of not China, Brazil, Russia

Bawuia as usual working from a vacuum.Please compare the growth rates to other countries like SA and Nigeria or Cote DIvoire or Kenya tomake it rlevantv of not China, Brazil, Russia
DerDieDas.@KÖLN 8 years ago

We have every reason to be proud of Npp. Because they've the Truck-Record. Most of all, they've the finest collected Intellectual Men & Women across the 10 regions of Ghana, they've the Skills, Leadership and Commitment to tu ...
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We have every reason to be proud of Npp. Because they've the Truck-Record. Most of all, they've the finest collected Intellectual Men & Women across the 10 regions of Ghana, they've the Skills, Leadership and Commitment to turn our Dreams into who we want to be. You and I, our children children's and the generation to come depends on good leadership. Ghana can't wait longer in 2016. Ghana must & will work again. #ImForNana&Bawumia. For Npp.
Kizito 8 years ago

kwaseeeaa. which track record? what? 500% GDP. npp own Ghana or Ghana we are all living? aaappppooo tor.

kwaseeeaa. which track record? what? 500% GDP. npp own Ghana or Ghana we are all living? aaappppooo tor.
efo 8 years ago

Am not npp but I wonder if mahama has brains at all he has destroyed every thing in Ghana

Am not npp but I wonder if mahama has brains at all he has destroyed every thing in Ghana
Adote 8 years ago

Dr. Bawumia, your assertion of 500% growth under President Kufour does no add up. If that was the case how come Ghanaians were still hawking on the streets selling dog chains? How come Ghana Airways went bankrupt, more Planes ...
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Dr. Bawumia, your assertion of 500% growth under President Kufour does no add up. If that was the case how come Ghanaians were still hawking on the streets selling dog chains? How come Ghana Airways went bankrupt, more Planes could have been added to expand the route of the Airline. Please, stop all these fabrications and face the reality of corruption under both NDC and NPP. Just grow up and get rid of this Pull Him Down mentality.
Mawriz 8 years ago

I thought the economy never grew under mahama. I am not very well learned in economics but I know that the under some conditions 10% maybe more positive than 1000%.

I thought the economy never grew under mahama. I am not very well learned in economics but I know that the under some conditions 10% maybe more positive than 1000%.
Jojo Hammond, New Jersey 8 years ago

Folks, could we all agree and give mother Ghana to our beloved NPP so that they return us to the milk and honey that Ghanaian were enjoying between 2000 and 2008? Dr. Bawumia, should know that statistics could be manipulated ...
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Folks, could we all agree and give mother Ghana to our beloved NPP so that they return us to the milk and honey that Ghanaian were enjoying between 2000 and 2008? Dr. Bawumia, should know that statistics could be manipulated to tell any story one wants to tell. NPP trots Dr. Bawunia out to do a political hatched job, play the populist card, which will come back to haunt the NPP in power.

It is easy to criticize than tell us what you will do to resolve the problems you have so "expertly" laid out as currently plaguing the nation.

Populism gets the nation behind you, but remember when you win power, populism does not work in governing. Remember one Jerry Rawlings?

A word to the wise ......
Biri moses 8 years ago

How can you compare an expanded economy's growth of 52% to a smaller one with 500%?

How can you compare an expanded economy's growth of 52% to a smaller one with 500%?
gift 8 years ago

gift
bawumia mind your own business

gift
bawumia mind your own business
Obi Ngyeyen oooooo 8 years ago

The economic climate under Kufuor was different from the economic climate under Mahama. During Kufuor's era the world economy was growing by leaps and bounds. Compared to the outside world Kufuor did not do that well. The ...
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The economic climate under Kufuor was different from the economic climate under Mahama. During Kufuor's era the world economy was growing by leaps and bounds. Compared to the outside world Kufuor did not do that well. The base for Kufuor's growth was smaller and so the any adjustment upwards is magnified.
Mahama came at the time of world economy collapse. This included commodities which affected cocoa and gold, our principal foreign exchange earners. Kufuor set the economy on downward slope with the Anglo gold deal and the oil deal. Sam Jona is the only one who benefited from the Anglo Gold deal. The oil deal benefited OA group, mutual friends of Kufuor.
The problems with Achimota school lands can be laid at the feet of Kufuor whose friends built houses on the school's land indiscriminately.
Bottom line , the country was on a dark slippery road.
Bawumia mantra is to spew apparent truths to the casual observer.
Boris Bukari 8 years ago

Are you sure of what you are saying? .

Are you sure of what you are saying? .
tibaa 8 years ago

Bawumia is a very dangerous academician of our time - to twist data to paint a rather bad picture of an opponent!!!

Bawumia is a very dangerous academician of our time - to twist data to paint a rather bad picture of an opponent!!!
akuffo addo retirement party 8 years ago

Liar liar pants on fire

Liar liar pants on fire
Amanaman 8 years ago

Kufour ended up selling GhanaTelecom. Bawumia is a dangerous liar. He has learned so fast from Nana Akufo Addo and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings. This man indeed sees all of us as dumb like the NPP supporters. It's like we wer ...
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Kufour ended up selling GhanaTelecom. Bawumia is a dangerous liar. He has learned so fast from Nana Akufo Addo and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings. This man indeed sees all of us as dumb like the NPP supporters. It's like we were all sleeping when Kufour and NPP were running a type of economy that they could only run by selling state properties. Shame to Bawumia. He is not credible.
James 8 years ago

I admire Bawumia but I find his analysis of the Ghanaian economy disingenous, selective and academically lazy. I am no economist but I know that when the world prices of your export products fall your earnings would also fall ...
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I admire Bawumia but I find his analysis of the Ghanaian economy disingenous, selective and academically lazy. I am no economist but I know that when the world prices of your export products fall your earnings would also fall, Cocoa, gold, oil,etc. have all fallen in value and I expect a good economist like Bawunia to take that into consideration in his analysis. Or is he playing plain politics with the figures.
Expanding the economy through buying and selling of essentially foreign goods as happened in the Kuffour era is illusionary
ASH 8 years ago

How much did you spend travelling to the UK to complete your education? Is it the same amount of money you can use to travel back? He always say what people wants to hear but not the truth.

How much did you spend travelling to the UK to complete your education? Is it the same amount of money you can use to travel back? He always say what people wants to hear but not the truth.
d'SigNstyle 8 years ago

in Ghana;from ordain pastors to politicians are all lies

in Ghana;from ordain pastors to politicians are all lies
Dr. Sefah-Banafo 8 years ago

Hardly can any wise man in Ghana understand this mean thinking of the so-called Dr.Bawumia and his economic analysis of the Kufuor and NPP government including his would be master Nana Addo. Kufuor and the NPP government incl ...
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Hardly can any wise man in Ghana understand this mean thinking of the so-called Dr.Bawumia and his economic analysis of the Kufuor and NPP government including his would be master Nana Addo. Kufuor and the NPP government including Nana Addo left Ghana roads, streets, fly-overs dusty and uncompleted for more than fours years in office despite the Chinese loan and others. Above all Kufuor and NPP government sold the most wealthiest assets of the nation namely Ghana Airways Airlines with fully trained Ghanaians pilots, engineers, air hostesses and stewards as well as Ghana Telecommunications to Vodafones destroying our engineers technicians and most of all our one touch invention mobile phones. The Ghana airways was competetive against foreign air lines and was bringing in foreign money to enable the country solve our foreign exchange. Above all our telecommunications could be used for the hiring by the many foreign companies rushing into the country. In this respect, I question bawumia's qualification and character because as the proverb mongers say " Book knowledge without good character means nothing to humanity". All Kufuor and the NPP government did was to create consuming boom country, taking bribe and corruption leaving the country dusty beyond repair which have been completed by Mills-Mahama and NDC government wiyhout selling any national wealthy assets and pocket the money as Kufuor and the NPP government did. Bawumia you should be ashamed yourself for poisoning Ghanaian mentality and consciences.
Sassco 8 years ago

Bawumia is a really man

Bawumia is a really man
tiger 8 years ago

Are These npp guys hallucinating.how many ghanaians alive witnessed this growthmprobably only Bawuamia who lived luckily after to tell tall tales

Are These npp guys hallucinating.how many ghanaians alive witnessed this growthmprobably only Bawuamia who lived luckily after to tell tall tales
orji 8 years ago

Alhaji pink sheet is here again

Alhaji pink sheet is here again
ASH 8 years ago

I cannot wait for the day when this man will be 'Afokoed' by the NPP after the 2016 elections.

I cannot wait for the day when this man will be 'Afokoed' by the NPP after the 2016 elections.
Rastafara"I" 8 years ago

It depends were you start from....

It depends were you start from....
#Citizen 8 years ago

This guy always tickles himself and fart,making illiterate NPP apologists go gay. Any time this fine gentleman mount a podium to talk, he throws his doctorate away and wears the brain of de violent lying NPP thugs. Cos that's ...
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This guy always tickles himself and fart,making illiterate NPP apologists go gay. Any time this fine gentleman mount a podium to talk, he throws his doctorate away and wears the brain of de violent lying NPP thugs. Cos that's de only way he'll be accepted by them.But wait,after losing again in 2016,they'll come for it head.
hamza 8 years ago

One thing is lacking in doctor bawimyas presentation. Npp led by present j a kufuor at the time refused to tell Ghanaians how much capital that was injected in to the economy despite joining Hipic. we are very comfortable wit ...
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One thing is lacking in doctor bawimyas presentation. Npp led by present j a kufuor at the time refused to tell Ghanaians how much capital that was injected in to the economy despite joining Hipic. we are very comfortable with j m rule.
Eddie 8 years ago

Breaking news,folks! .Bawumia has been labelled by international observers of our economy as a "THEORY ECONOMIST ".Again,that he had better settled down as a BANKER than talking economics.This is a huge blow & a dent on Bawum ...
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Breaking news,folks! .Bawumia has been labelled by international observers of our economy as a "THEORY ECONOMIST ".Again,that he had better settled down as a BANKER than talking economics.This is a huge blow & a dent on Bawumia's personality.What a wow!!!!
DADZIE 8 years ago

Please ,Please lets talk About us , we Pay too much to travel home to GHANA by AIR .Its about time to come together and fight the SYSTEM of OVER CHARGING us .Take the time cheak prices .Flights to Ghana are many and they FLY ...
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Please ,Please lets talk About us , we Pay too much to travel home to GHANA by AIR .Its about time to come together and fight the SYSTEM of OVER CHARGING us .Take the time cheak prices .Flights to Ghana are many and they FLY to Ghana Daily,WE pay 25% more than we should ,Price of FUEL is as low as it can be.
kofi adu 8 years ago

fool when will wisdom besiege you. yesterday was so different you don't even remember. who signed the oil deal. very bad for todays economy. think.no yesterday please.

fool when will wisdom besiege you. yesterday was so different you don't even remember. who signed the oil deal. very bad for todays economy. think.no yesterday please.
Paa Joe 8 years ago

FALSE FIGURES, HAS THE ECONOMY OF US,THE WORLDS ECONOMIC LEADER EVER GREW EVEN 100% IN US ECONOMIC HISTORY.

HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE ECONOMY UNDER KUFFOUR TO GROW, WHEN GHANA WAS DECLARED AS A HEAVILY INDEPTED POOR COUN ...
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FALSE FIGURES, HAS THE ECONOMY OF US,THE WORLDS ECONOMIC LEADER EVER GREW EVEN 100% IN US ECONOMIC HISTORY.

HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE ECONOMY UNDER KUFFOUR TO GROW, WHEN GHANA WAS DECLARED AS A HEAVILY INDEPTED POOR COUNTRY(HIPC) IN THE WORLD.

BAWUMIA'S CONTINUED EMPTY ECXONOMIC STATEMENTS DISQUALIFIES HIM AS A HOLDER OF ECONOMICS TITLE.

PLEASE, DONT DISGRACE YOURSELF BEFORE FIRST YEAR ECONOMICS STUDENTS.
Michael K. Tettevi 8 years ago

There is vast difference between 500% and 52%. If Ghana's economy grew 500% during President Kuffuor's regime and only 52% under Presidents Mills and Mahama then NPP is ten times better than NDC. Vote wisely in 2016. Action s ...
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There is vast difference between 500% and 52%. If Ghana's economy grew 500% during President Kuffuor's regime and only 52% under Presidents Mills and Mahama then NPP is ten times better than NDC. Vote wisely in 2016. Action speaks louder than words.
OWEN-NEW YORK 8 years ago

GHANAIANS MUST COMPARE THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING AND MAKE INFORM CHOICES. RENT,UTILITY BILL-(water,electricity,telephone),HOSPITAL BILLS,SCHOOL FEES FOR YOUR KIDS,TRANSPORTATION.COST OF FOOD ITEMS ETC

GHANAIANS MUST COMPARE THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING AND MAKE INFORM CHOICES. RENT,UTILITY BILL-(water,electricity,telephone),HOSPITAL BILLS,SCHOOL FEES FOR YOUR KIDS,TRANSPORTATION.COST OF FOOD ITEMS ETC
Nana kwesi 8 years ago

Then why was NPP shown the exit door?

Then why was NPP shown the exit door?
GhanaSon 8 years ago

Economy grew by 500% yet Ghana Telecom had to be sold to pay teachers. Don't be silly Bawumiah. Ghanaians are more discerning than this. It's a shame with your level of education you allow Akuffo Addo to push u around. You ar ...
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Economy grew by 500% yet Ghana Telecom had to be sold to pay teachers. Don't be silly Bawumiah. Ghanaians are more discerning than this. It's a shame with your level of education you allow Akuffo Addo to push u around. You are forced to be made mockery of yourself. Wake up cuz nana is dragging you down with him. Shit economist indeed. Stupid
truth 8 years ago

Yes it was better than NOW bu the truth was those kuffour friends,family members enjoyed more.And NDC doing exactly the same thing.

Yes it was better than NOW bu the truth was those kuffour friends,family members enjoyed more.And NDC doing exactly the same thing.
kaketonti 8 years ago

BAWUMIA IS TALKING ABOUT COCAINE,ILLEGAL-DRUGS GROWTH,KICKED BACKS,HOTEL WAWAWA ETC UNDER THIEF K4 ERA.THIEF K4 NEVER CREATED STATE ENTERPRISES NOR JOBS.RATHER HE SOLD EXISTING ONES.

BAWUMIA IS TALKING ABOUT COCAINE,ILLEGAL-DRUGS GROWTH,KICKED BACKS,HOTEL WAWAWA ETC UNDER THIEF K4 ERA.THIEF K4 NEVER CREATED STATE ENTERPRISES NOR JOBS.RATHER HE SOLD EXISTING ONES.
Nyamekye. 8 years ago

Pure patapaa statistics by a patapaa man. Is the 52% for Mills, Mahama or Rawlings? Bawumia, your father was a traitor and so are you. By2016 we shall all see.

Pure patapaa statistics by a patapaa man. Is the 52% for Mills, Mahama or Rawlings? Bawumia, your father was a traitor and so are you. By2016 we shall all see.
Krista 8 years ago

bawumia is mad bcos we dont have 500% so if NDC is able to get 52 then we are doing well.

bawumia is mad bcos we dont have 500% so if NDC is able to get 52 then we are doing well.
inercycl 8 years ago

Woow.is this a topographical error or merely playing with figures?

Woow.is this a topographical error or merely playing with figures?
Ukulele 8 years ago

Dr Bawumia’s comment “Ghana’s economy grew 500% under Kufuor but 52% under NDC” in his response to the Ghanaian Mr Terkper’s Budget Statement shows clearly why the country is not progressing. I believe Dr Bawumia ...
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Dr Bawumia’s comment “Ghana’s economy grew 500% under Kufuor but 52% under NDC” in his response to the Ghanaian Mr Terkper’s Budget Statement shows clearly why the country is not progressing. I believe Dr Bawumia is an Economist and was the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the current Shadow Minister of Finance of Ghana.
It worries me to a great extent that a person with a Doctorate Degree in Economics would make such a statement of error when we all know that (a) Kufuor’s growth rate was calculated from a low base (b) the economical conditions were extremely positive at that time compared to what they are now. These are simple facts a person in Bawumia's capacity and all the degrees should have understood. A high school economics student will not make such a statement let alone a person with Doctorate Degree in Economics, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and the current Shadow Minister of Finance of Ghana.

• If he (Bawumia) has used this statement without knowing these simple facts, then I question his ability to make productive and meaningful judgement in a Minister of Finance role to help our country progress.
• If however he (Bawumia) used this statement as a propaganda tool (which is the point you made in your commentary), then I am sorry to say that he believes all Ghanaians are either naïve or stupid which I find extremely selfish, counter progressive and unpatriotic.

I am not aligned with any Ghanaian political parties but I can smell a rat in this situation and I am afraid that Ghana will have a very long way to go before we find a genuine leader/s to take us to the promise land. Ghana has huge issues and our politicians should always have the ability to make progressive decisions and stop playing silly games if we are to make any progress.
Nyiary 8 years ago

may bawumia becomes our future president

may bawumia becomes our future president
Lord gee 8 years ago

Well Said, Dr Bawumia. May de lord gives u more wisdom for us and for mother Ghana.

Well Said, Dr Bawumia. May de lord gives u more wisdom for us and for mother Ghana.
Okponglo Guy 8 years ago

We don't need political bandits, we need go stewards and leaders.

We don't need political bandits, we need go stewards and leaders.
Busia 8 years ago

I love this term.

I love this term.
Big Boy 8 years ago

Kufour worked under HIPC and so had more advantages.

Kufour worked under HIPC and so had more advantages.
KD 8 years ago

This is all you know how to do .just talk talk kuaaa nothing better

This is all you know how to do .just talk talk kuaaa nothing better
papajay 8 years ago

bawumia is a big liar and mischievious

bawumia is a big liar and mischievious
Kwame 8 years ago

In 2008 the yellow gallons, commonly call Kufuor gallons were still around and we were still buying chargeable lamps. Why should Bawumia look always into the eyes of Ghanaians and call us fools.

In 2008 the yellow gallons, commonly call Kufuor gallons were still around and we were still buying chargeable lamps. Why should Bawumia look always into the eyes of Ghanaians and call us fools.
Trotro 8 years ago

Dr. Bawumia, now I think you have to shut up. We are tired of this nonsense.

Dr. Bawumia, now I think you have to shut up. We are tired of this nonsense.
Augusco Boy 8 years ago

I have followed Bawumia's so-called economic statements for a little while now and I continue to be amazed at how this guy is getting away with murder. Is there no real economist in the NDC to refute this guy's continuous non ...
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I have followed Bawumia's so-called economic statements for a little while now and I continue to be amazed at how this guy is getting away with murder. Is there no real economist in the NDC to refute this guy's continuous nonsense?

How can somebody who calls himself an economist present this shallow data and make these unrealistic comparisons? Has Bawumia ever heard of broader macroeconomic conditions? In fact, since 2007, can Bawumia point to any realistic expansion of economies even within the sino-tiger region? Where was Bawumia when the larger world economy shrunk following the 2007 financial collapse? How then does he expect the NDC government to have grown Ghana's economy in comparison, ratio-wise, to Kufuor's pre-2008 HIPC-based free-money so-called economy?

Did Bawumia really study Financial Economics? Well, I beg to differ but I don't happen to have much respect for a Simon Fraser University PhD in Economics. To us Ghanaians, any degree from anywhere goes, I guess! Clearly, if Bawumia has studied in any of the renowned economics programs around the world, he wouldn't be making the statements he's been making. This guy doesn't understand simple financial economics!

Kufuor's so-called economy should be the last thing for anybody to tout. Kufour ran a HIPC-based economy where Ghana's loans were forgiven en masse, hence no meaningful debt service during most of his reign. In addition, Ghana had emerged as the first true democracy in sub-saharan Africa following Rawling's handover so Ghana enjoyed excessive goodwill grants, in addition to all the free money it received for the HIPC declaration. What we had then is what I call the "DONKOMI" economy. With all that free money flowing, Kufuor also went on a borrowing spree, using Ghana's "future" natural resources (including the oil) as collateral for future payments. Unfortunately for Ghana, the world economy hit a huge bump in 2007, following the financial markets collapse. The donors stopped giving ... Credit has since tightened, and if you don't have any legit collateral, nobody is dishing out free money anymore!

Bawumia is either dumb or he is intentionally being untruthful. When you have a PhD, it behooves you not to be one of those. It is time to call this guy out!

‘Ghana’s economy grew 500% under Kufuor but 52% under NDC’

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