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During the exclusive interview, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu discussed key points related to governance, economic performance, and the vision for the future, particularly in the context of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership.
**1. The Role of a Manifesto:**
Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained what a manifesto is as essentially a contract between a presidential candidate and the people they seek to govern. It outlines the candidate’s vision and commitments if given the mandate to lead. Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained that Dr. Bawumia selected him as the Manifesto Chair because of his deep understanding of the country’s challenges, particularly from his time as a Minority Leader. His insights have been crucial in shaping the manifesto, which is a collaborative effort involving feedback from Dr. Bawumia and other government leaders.
**2. Addressing Current Hardships:**
Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu acknowledged the current economic hardships but emphasized that the manifesto addresses strategies to alleviate these difficulties. He highlighted the significant economic growth under the NPP government, particularly between 2017 and 2019, when Ghana’s GDP grew by 7%, making it one of the fastest-growing economies globally. In contrast, under previous administrations, the economy had seen much lower growth rates, with periods of negative growth, particularly during challenging times such as the early 1980s and under former President Mahama.
**3. Economic Challenges and Comparisons:**
The Honourable compared the NPP’s economic management with that of previous governments, noting the stark differences. For instance, after President Kuffour’s tenure, the economy declined significantly, but it rebounded under the NPP, particularly after 2017. He pointed out that despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana managed to maintain a positive growth rate, unlike many other African countries.
**4. Banking Sector Cleanup:**
On the issue of the banking sector cleanup, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu defended the government’s decision to invest in securing depositors’ funds despite criticisms. He explained that some banks had mismanaged funds, leading to a crisis that required government intervention. The cleanup, though costly, was necessary to protect the financial system.
**5. Economic Recovery and Initiatives:**
The economy is gradually rebounding post-COVID, with significant contributions from initiatives like the “Gold for Oil” program spearheaded by Dr. Bawumia. This initiative, along with others like the Planting for Food and Jobs (P4FJ) and One District, One Factory (1D1F), is expected to bolster the economy further.
**6. Governance and Ministerial Appointments:**
On governance, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu mentioned that Dr. Bawumia intends to reduce the number of ministers to 50. He emphasized that this is feasible within the constitutional framework, which allows for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 19 cabinet ministers. Streamlining government, he argued, would lead to more efficient use of resources.
In all, the discussion highlighted the NPP’s commitment to economic recovery, good governance, and effective leadership under Dr. Bawumia, with
a focus on continuing the foundation laid by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Lily Appiah
NPP Communications Member
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