Alexander Akwasi Acquah, the Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, has launched a scathing critique of the current administration, accusing the government of mismanaging the nation and using propaganda to mask dire economic realities.
While acknowledging that the government’s most notable attempted achievement was the stabilization of the Ghanaian Cedi against the US Dollar, the lawmaker asserted that this stability has proven fragile.
He argued that the national situation is deteriorating because the government is unprepared to take the necessary steps for a true recovery.
Mr. Acquah expressed particular concern over trade policies that favor cheap imports, which he claims are stifling domestic production.
“This government is not prepared to listen; they are unprepared to govern,” Acquah stated. “The budget presented this year is a ‘copy and paste’ document with no real impact on the economy. We are in a serious struggle. If the Minority had not held the government to account and made specific demands, this budget would have been a total mess.”
He warned that the high cost of local production versus the ease of importing is de-industrializing Ghana. “Importing has become so cheap that local industries are struggling to stay afloat. Do not be surprised to hear that factories are halting production to become importers instead. By favoring imports, we are creating jobs for external businesses rather than for Ghanaians.”
Speaking on Rainbow Radio’s As It Is in Ghana, the MP alleged that the government has allowed the “One District, One Factory” (1D1F) initiative—pioneered by former President Akufo-Addo—to collapse, replacing it with the “24-Hour Economy” proposal which he claims has yet to yield results.
Referring to a well-known economic principle previously cited by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Acquah noted: “If the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you. If the fundamentals were truly right, we would be supporting our own industries, producing more, reducing imports, and restoring confidence in the local economy. Instead, the stability we hoped for has backfired.”
The lawmaker further alleged that the government has effectively legitimized illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, to shore up foreign exchange reserves.
He claimed the government is prioritising gold extraction over environmental safety to stabilize the Cedi.
He highlighted the destruction of water bodies and forest reserves.
He further alleged that senior officials are involved in illegal mining while the state looks the other way.
“They have turned our system into a ‘galamsey economy,’ making money from illegal mining to buy dollars,” he charged. “Things are bad.”
When asked how to turn the tide, the Akim Oda MP called for transparency from the government.
He urged the government to stop using propaganda to manage public perception and instead be honest about the state of the economy.
“The government must be truthful so that the people can manage their expectations,” Acquah concluded. “If they are honest, Ghanaians will have the patience to support them. But if they continue to run the economy on propaganda, the public will soon agitate because the reality of the market will eventually expose the lies.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
