“Worst Government in the Fourth Republic” – Minority Slams Akufo-Addo’s Administration

The minority in Parliament has described the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration as the worst in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, citing unprecedented economic hardship, unfulfilled promises, and a historic rejection in the December 7 polls as evidence of its failures.

In a scathing response to the President’s final State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on January 3, 2025, Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Kofi Armah-Buah did not mince words, declaring that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had left Ghanaians worse off than it found them.

“We have come to the end of the road for what has undoubtedly been the worst government under the Fourth Republic,” he stated, adding that President Akufo-Addo’s tenure would be remembered for economic mismanagement, high unemployment, and a massive debt overhang.

Armah-Buah pointed to the NPP’s defeat in the December 7 elections as a clear verdict on the administration’s poor performance. “This administration’s abysmal record was confirmed on December 7, when the people of Ghana delivered the most overwhelming and emphatic vote of rejection of any government in the Fourth Republic.”

The minority highlighted several unmet promises, including the incomplete National Cathedral project, which Armah-Buah described as a glaring symbol of unfulfilled commitments.

“Mr. President, you left something very important in your account—your promise to God to build Him a cathedral. I will leave that between you and your God,” he remarked.

The minority also accused the government of mismanaging the economy, leading to widespread economic hardship. Armah-Buah criticised the administration for being cushioned by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at both the beginning and end of its tenure, calling it a testament to poor fiscal discipline.

Armah-Buah assured Ghanaians that the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, led by President-elect John Dramani Mahama, would offer a fresh start. “The new government will deliver good governance and restore Ghana’s glory as the Black Star of Africa,” he pledged.

The Majority, however, defended President Akufo-Addo’s legacy, describing it as transformative despite significant challenges. Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin commended the administration’s strides in education and health, calling them “unmatched and unequalled.”

He pointed to initiatives like Free SHS and Agenda 111 as milestones that would endure in Ghana’s history. “Posterity will be the utmost judge of President Akufo-Addo’s leadership,” Afenyo-Markin said, adding that Ghana’s stability and progress in the ECOWAS subregion were testaments to the President’s stewardship.

As the debate over President Akufo-Addo’s legacy rages on, the sharply contrasting views reflect the deep polarisation within Ghana’s political landscape. While the minority paints a picture of failure and broken promises, the majority insists that history will vindicate the President’s achievements.