National Democratic Congress (NDC) communicator Godwin Edudzi Tameklo has questioned former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic credentials, arguing that his eight years in government provide a basis for assessing his capacity to lead Ghana.
Speaking on TV3’s New Day, Mr Tameklo said Dr Bawumia’s role in the previous administration’s economic management meant his record could not be separated from the economic outcomes experienced by Ghanaians during that period.
He argued that the former Vice President might have maintained an untested reputation on economic issues had he not occupied a senior position in government.
“If Bawumia never became the vice president of this country, his strength would have been in the economy untested. His credibility would have been enhanced,” he said.
“But Ghanaians gave him the benefit of managing this economy for eight solid years as the chair.”
Mr Tameklo also challenged efforts to distance Dr Bawumia from responsibility for the economy during the previous administration, referring to comments attributed to former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
According to him, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu had argued that Dr Bawumia, as chair of the Economic Management Team, was not responsible for the economy and that former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen, who chaired a Cabinet subcommittee on the economy, should instead be held responsible.
Mr Tameklo questioned that position, maintaining that Dr Bawumia’s senior role in government made his contribution to economic management a legitimate subject of public scrutiny.
He also dismissed attempts to use digitalisation as the principal measure of Dr Bawumia’s economic achievements, arguing that technological reforms should be assessed alongside their broader impact on economic growth, employment and living standards.
“Digitalisation is a facilitation process, making things easier, but that is not the economy itself. It is to enhance economic benefits,” he said.
The NDC communicator further raised concerns about Ghana’s reputation among international investors, citing claims that the previous government had promoted expectations of producing 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily during an investment roadshow.
He referred to an investor identified as Michael Blacken, who was said to have accused the Ghanaian government of taking his money, arguing that such allegations could undermine investor confidence.
“Government of Ghana at a point did a roadshow and told investors that we’ll be doing 500,000 barrels of crude every day,” he said.
“That is how you discredited this country to investors,” he added.
Mr Tameklo also claimed that more than GH¢40 billion in debts had since been paid, although he did not provide further details in the remarks cited.
His comments form part of the wider political debate over Dr Bawumia’s economic record and his suitability for national leadership, with the NDC communicator insisting that claims of economic expertise must be measured against performance in office and the consequences of policy decisions.
