The Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has raised concerns over what he perceives as misguided priorities by the current government.
His remarks follow a recent request from the Finance Minister to withdraw GH¢500 million from the Contingency Fund to address the impact of a drought affecting eight regions in Ghana.
The NDC official criticised the government’s decision, calling it a clear indication of poor management and misplaced priorities. “After prioritising corruption, waste, and empty sloganeering over prudent management of the economy and the agriculture sector, this is how low the failed NPP government has sunk our dear country,” he stated.
This controversy emerged after the Ministry of Finance wrote to the Finance Committee of Parliament, seeking approval for the emergency funds.
The Ministry argued that the government is unable to meet the GH¢8.36 billion funding requirement set by the President solely through reallocating existing budget lines in the 2024 budget.
The requested withdrawal from the Contingency Fund is intended to supplement these efforts, alongside mobilising support from development partners and adjusting fiscal operations.
The NDC’s Communications Officer, in a statement on August 28, expressed disbelief over the government’s spending choices, citing past expenditures that he views as extravagant and unnecessary.
“This is the same government that spent a whopping $58 million (GHS928 million) on creating the biggest pit in the world under the guise of building a cathedral,” he noted, referring to the controversial National Cathedral project.
He further criticised the government for spending lavishly on what he described as non-essential expenses, such as the rental of luxury private jets for the president.
“Against wise counsel, they wasted millions of taxpayers’ money on the rental of luxury private jets so the President could bathe in the skies. They squandered millions of taxpayers’ money on other useless expenditures at the presidency like there was no tomorrow,” he added.
The NDC’s statements underscore growing frustration over what many see as fiscal mismanagement and misallocation of resources. The ongoing drought and its impact on agriculture have heightened calls for more focused and effective governance, especially in areas critical to the country’s economy and food security.
As the Finance Committee reviews the request, the debate over government spending priorities is likely to intensify, with opposition parties and civil society groups demanding greater transparency and accountability.
The government’s handling of the situation could have significant implications for public trust and its ability to navigate Ghana’s economic challenges.
Find his full statement below:
After prioritising corruption, waste, and empty sloganeering over prudent management of the economy and the agriculture sector, this is how low the failed NPP government has sunk our dear country.
Our dear nation has been rendered bankrupt such that today, the government cannot even afford GHS500 million to address the imminent food crises the nation is faced with.
This is the same government that spent a whopping $58 million (GHS928 million) on creating the biggest pit in the world under the guise of building a cathedral.
Against wise counsel, they wasted millions of taxpayers money on the rental of luxury private jets so the President could bathe in the skies. They squandered millions of taxpayers money on other useless expenditures at the Presidency like there was no tomorrow.
Today the chickens have come to roost.
This is how low we have sunk as a country after all the sweet, mouth-watering rhetoric about “One Village, One Dam.” This is how low we have sunk after the NPP government spent a colossal GHS3 billion on their much-touted “Planting for Food and Jobs” program.
Oh, what a shame; what a disgrace!
Cry, my beloved Ama Ghana, cry!!!!