“Our first term economic record is unmatched – Veep

Kyebi (ER), Jan. 23, GNA – Vice President Dr
Mahamudu Bawumia says no Government under the Fourth Republic in its first term
in government can match the economic record of the Nana Akufo-Addo
administration.

“For virtually every economic measure, from
inflation, to interest rates, exchange rate depreciation, rate of increase of
utility prices, social interventions, like free SHS, job creation,
infrastructure etc… the data shows clearly that no government has achieved as
much as the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“I challenge anyone to provide any
facts to dispute it,” he emphasised.

Vice President Bawumia said this when he
addressed delegates at the ongoing consultative meeting of the National Council
of Zongo Chiefs at Kyebi in the Eastern Region.

“I can tell you, in all humility, and
without any fear of contradiction – because when you speak, you should speak
with data, or on the basis of data.

“A lot of people speak, and they speak
with propaganda; there is no data to back up what they are saying.

“But when you speak on matters like the
economy, you should really speak with data, and I can tell you, without any
fear of contradiction, that if you look at the management of the economy under
the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, and compare it to the first term of any
government in the Fourth Republic since 1992, the first term, I can tell you
there is no government that can match our record,” Dr Bawumia averred.

Some high profile personalities at the
function included the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu,
Osabarima Adusei Peasah IV, Chief of Tafo and representative of the Okyenhene.

He said the government was committed to
holistic and inclusive national development by reducing the suffering of the
people and would leave no one behind.

He cited the establishment of the Ministry
for Zongo and Inner City Development, which is first in Ghana’s history, a
Zongo Development Fund and the numerous infrastructure projects ongoing across
Zongo communities.

“We are paying Arabic instructors, whose
allowances were cancelled by the previous government. There are also several
national programmes ongoing, including the Free Senior High School programme. I
can assure you that the welfare of Zongos is dear to the heart of this
government,”Dr Bawumia added.

He urged residents of the Zongo,
particularly the youth, to resist attempts by politicians to use them for any
violent undertaking, especially in this year’s election.

“In an election year, unscrupulous
politicians are going to come to Zongo communities to recruit youth for violent
purposes.

“You should educate the youth to ask
politicians to bring their own children to lead any such acts of violence if
indeed it is a worthy cause,” he advised.

He assured the gathering that the NPP
believed in the rule of law and would continue to use legitimate arbitration
processes for resolving political disputes.

GNA