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President-elect John Dramani Mahama has accused the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of deliberately burdening the country with massive debts, describing it as a calculated trap aimed at derailing his incoming administration.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahama made it clear that he was fully aware of the financial challenges awaiting him but expressed confidence that divine intervention would help him navigate these obstacles.
Addressing the gathering, Mahama highlighted several examples of how the NPP government’s governance has left the country in a precarious financial situation.
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He referred to a social media post that had caught his attention, where a Ghanaian citizen pointed out the unexpected financial obligations the government had left behind.
“I saw someone’s post on social media saying that had it not been for the incumbent NPP government, they wouldn’t have known that WAEC is paid for conducting examinations because it has never been an issue,” Mahama said.
He went on to explain that the NPP government owes the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and that if the debt is not cleared, the results for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) may not be released.
This, Mahama stated, is an example of how the NPP’s financial mismanagement has led to unforeseen challenges for the country.
Mahama also raised concerns about the Free Senior High School (SHS) program, which has been one of the NPP government’s flagship policies.
According to Mahama, a letter issued by the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) revealed that the government has owed schools significant amounts of money since 2021. The delay in payments, Mahama argued, has placed a strain on the operations of the schools and affected their ability to deliver quality education.
On top of these concerns, Mahama pointed out that the government owes $2 billion in the electricity sector, further deepening the nation’s debt crisis. “This is because the NPP government has set a trap for us,” Mahama said, emphasising that these financial burdens were designed to frustrate his efforts once he assumes office.
Despite the overwhelming debts and challenges, Mahama expressed unwavering confidence that his administration would not fall into the trap set by the NPP. “But we shall not be caught in that trap; we will escape unscathed,” he vowed.
Mahama went on to reassure his supporters that the Almighty God, who granted the NDC victory in the recent election, would continue to guide them through the difficult times ahead.
“The Almighty God, who granted us electoral victory, will see us through the difficulties ahead until we achieve success,” he said. “God will give us the wisdom to lead this country and make it better for the next generation.”
Mahama also encouraged Ghanaians to pray fervently in the lead-up to his inauguration, stressing the need for divine guidance to implement the policies that will transform Ghana. “This is the time we need to pray harder than we did during the campaign for God to grant us the strength and wisdom to implement measures that will make Ghana a better place to live.”
He concluded his address by stating, “All I will say is that it is finished; God has already done it,” expressing his belief that no matter the obstacles, his administration would succeed in improving the lives of Ghanaians.
