I was truthful as possible with State of the Nation – Mahama

President John Mahama has defended his maiden State of the Nation Address, insisting that he presented a truthful reflection of Ghana’s economic situation. This comes after criticism from the Minority in Parliament and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), who accused him of downplaying the state of the economy he inherited.

“I was as truthful as possible to the people of Ghana about the state of the economy and the nation,” President Mahama said during a worship service in Accra. He emphasized that his administration is focused on finding solutions rather than assigning blame.

According to reports, Ghana’s economy has been facing significant challenges, including a high fiscal deficit, inflation, and a large public debt. The country’s GDP growth rate has been volatile, ranging from 0.5% in 2020 to 5.1% in 2021.

President Mahama outlined his administration’s immediate priorities, which include stabilizing the economy, restoring investor confidence, and creating jobs. “Our immediate priority is to stabilize the economy and restore confidence in Ghana. We will work to stabilize our currency, bring down interest rates, reduce inflation, cut the deficit, and improve the primary balance,” he noted.

The World Bank reports that Ghana’s economic growth has been impacted by external shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a rise in poverty levels since 2020. However, the Bank also notes that Ghana has made significant progress in reducing poverty over the past two decades.

President Mahama urged Ghanaians to support his government’s efforts, emphasizing that overcoming economic difficulties requires collective effort. “With determination, hard work, and the right policies, we will turn things around. Ghana’s future is bright, and we will overcome these challenges together,” he concluded.