Mahama jabs Akufo-Addo over Gh50bn loan

Former President John Dramani Mahama has challenged the Akufo-Addo government to show what it has done with the GHS50 billion it has borrowed so far, since coming into power in January 2017.

In the lead-up to the 2016 elections, the then-opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) criticised the Mahama government for borrowing a total of GHS40 billion over an eight-year period and castigated the then-government for it.

Addressing delegates of Techiman South Constituency in Techiman on Monday, 22 October 2018, as part of his tour of constituencies in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Mahama explained that the money borrowed by his administration was used for massive infrastructure projects throughout the country.

He said there are visible signs, all over the country, of roads, hospitals, schools, and rural electrification projects, among many others, which were done by his government.

The former president said it was important that the Akufo?Addo government account to Ghanaians, what it used the GHS50 billion worth of loans, for.

Mr Mahama asked what could have prompted the Akufo-Addo government to borrow GHS50 billion in less than two years in power, even though there was nothing to show for it.

“So, they should tell Ghanaians what they used the GHS50 billion they have so far borrowed, for. Is it for road, hospital, or school? But clearly, there is nothing to show”, he added.

While pointing out that the government’s policies have brought untold hardships on Ghanaians, Mr Mahama promised to work hard to reduce the high cost of living in the country as well as provide jobs, when elected in the 2020 elections.

Touching on concerns that he was addressing national issues instead of concentrating on internal NDC issues ahead of the flag bearer race, Mr Mahama said NDC delegates were also Ghanaians who deserve to know what was happening in the country.