Ghana’s economy is on the rebound following a major debt relief deal that saw $5 billion of the country’s debt cancelled, Finance Minister Dr. Amin Adam announced during the Bantama Big Walk on Saturday 5th October 2024.
Addressing a large gathering of party supporters at the event, which also launched the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) campaign for the Bantama Constituency, Dr. Amin Adam highlighted this achievement as a key milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to restore economic stability.
“Just two days ago, this government negotiated with our creditors, and they have cancelled $5 billion of our debts,” Dr. Amin revealed, emphasizing the positive impact this would have on the country’s financial recovery.
He credited President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration for negotiating the deal, which comes amid broader economic reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s fiscal position.
Dr. Amin took the opportunity to counter the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which has repeatedly criticized the government’s handling of the economy.
“The NDC said they were going to campaign on the economy, but do you hear them talk about the economy again? They have lost that battle because the economy has come back stronger,” he declared, signaling the NPP’s confidence in the lead-up to the December 7, 2024, general elections.
The Finance Minister also pointed to other significant achievements under the NPP government, including the expansion of the school feeding program.
“In 2016, when the NDC left office, the school feeding program covered 1.6 million children. Today, it covers 4 million children,” he noted.
In addition, he highlighted the increase in the capitation grant from GHS 5 to GHS 15 and the rise in spending on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from GHS 1 billion in 2016 to GHS 6.5 billion this year.
Dr. Amin underscored the success of the Free Senior High School program, which has benefited 5.7 million Ghanaian youth since its inception.
“We have invested GHS 12 billion in Free Senior High School alone,” he said, reaffirming the NPP’s commitment to education as a cornerstone of their policy achievements.
While the focus of Dr. Amin’s address was on the government’s economic track record, the political stakes of the upcoming elections were not lost on the crowd.
He expressed optimism about the NPP’s chances of victory, particularly in the Northern and Ashanti Regions. “This year, on 7th December, we in the Northern Region are going to beat the NDC,” he said, before urging supporters in Ashanti to deliver a decisive 85% vote share for the NPP.
Dr. Amin concluded by challenging the NDC to present their accomplishments from their time in office. “Now you too come and tell us, what did you do for the Ghanaian people when you were in government?” he asked.
He used a metaphor of agriculture to describe the NPP’s progress, stating that “President Kufuor found the land, President Akufo-Addo cultivated the land, and now the food is ready,” signaling that the time has come for the NPP to reap the benefits of its hard work.
The Bantama Big Walk drew significant crowds, signaling the NPP’s determination to mobilize its base in the Ashanti Region as the December elections approach.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /IJB-Kumasi
