Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, delivered a scathing indictment of President John Dramani Mahama’s first 120 days in office, painting a picture of an administration drowning in broken promises and economic missteps.
In a fiery address, Afenyo-Markin dissected the government’s flagship initiatives, revealing what he termed a pattern of “political theater” rather than substantive policy.
The centerpiece of his attack was the much-heralded 24-hour economy initiative, also known as the 1331 Job 3/6 program. Afenyo-Markin highlighted the stark discrepancy between the rhetoric surrounding the program and its practical implementation. “Dr. Forson told us that this 24-hour economy was being considered, and yesterday, as is typical of this government, they have inaugurated yet another committee to look into it. Is this really how they plan to deliver their flagship program?” he thundered.
He further emphasized the program’s conspicuous absence from the 2025 budget, despite its prominent mention in the State of the Nation Address (SONA), accusing the government of prioritizing symbolic gestures over tangible action.
The “Women Banking” initiative also fell under Afenyo-Markin’s critical gaze. The allocated 50 million cedis, he argued, was a mere pittance, a “drop in the ocean” compared to the vast needs of female entrepreneurs. “50 million cedis for women banking? That won’t even scratch the surface,” he asserted, questioning the administration’s genuine commitment to empowering women. This meager allocation, he implied, revealed a profound disconnect between the government’s promises and its budgetary priorities.
The mining sector, a critical component of Ghana’s economy, was not spared. Afenyo-Markin condemned the creation of the “Galaxy Board,” alleging that it served as a conduit for channeling resources to party loyalists involved in illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey. He further argued that the government’s pledge to provide equipment to small-scale miners violated the Minerals Commission Act, which mandates miners to demonstrate financial capability. “The government says it will provide equipment for small-scale miners, but this is a blatant violation of the Minerals Commission Act, which requires miners to demonstrate financial capability before receiving such support,” he stated.
Addressing the cedi’s recent stability, Afenyo-Markin dismissed the government’s claims of economic prowess, attributing it instead to global shifts in the US dollar’s strength. He cited financial analyst Nigel Green’s observations, emphasizing that the dollar’s weakening was a result of global realignment, not Ghanaian economic policies. This assertion challenged the government’s narrative, suggesting that their perceived success was merely a byproduct of external factors.
The education sector, another cornerstone of the government’s promises, was also scrutinized. Afenyo-Markin pointed to the unfulfilled pledge of a no-academic-fee policy for first-year university students, highlighting a pattern of broken promises. He argued that this failure undermined the government’s credibility and cast doubt on its ability to deliver on its broader educational agenda.
In a sweeping conclusion, Afenyo-Markin accused the Mahama administration of lacking a coherent delivery strategy, emphasizing a focus on optics over outcomes. “What we are witnessing is not the architecture of a national renewal. It is stop-gap, political theater,” he declared. He painted a picture of an administration adrift, prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term economic stability. By highlighting the discrepancies between promises and actions, Afenyo-Markin sought to expose what he deemed a fundamental lack of substance in the government’s economic management.
By Kingsley Asiedu
