Joseph Kpemka, a former Deputy Attorney General, has argued that the economic challenges that led to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 elections still remain unresolved by the NDC-led Mahama government.
Mr Kpemka noted that the Mahama government has recorded several positives, but the fundamental thing about food costs that took out the NPP still persists.
According to him, under the NPP, Kenkey was selling at a certain price, and he quizzed whether there has been a difference in the price of Kenkey now.
Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV, Joseph Kpemka stated, “We’re just 7 months into the Mahama government. Of course, he has recorded a number of positives. But I can tell you the fundamentals that took us out, which are bread and butter in the urban centres and rural areas; very little change has happened”.
“You may have indicators that are positive agreed. You may have indicators that have risen, agreed. But the fundamental thing about the cost of food, if under NPP we bought kenkey at a certain price, the question today is it better? Are we buying it at a cheaper cost?”, he quizzed.
He added, “Or we’re maintaining it, or it’s going higher. The basic and fundamental needs of the people are the things they use to judge you. You can talk about the micro and macro indicators that will not directly affect the poor person or the ordinary person. Go and find out the cost of fertilisers in rural areas, and whether they can afford them. There’s no subsidy.”
Also, Abena Osei Asare, the former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, also shared a similar sentiment, saying that ordinary Ghanaians are still struggling under rising costs of living.
According to Abena Osei Asare, despite claims by the government, the economy is on a recovery path Ghanaians are still struggling.
She asserted that Finance Minister Ato Forson’s confidence does not reflect the economic reality faced by citizens.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Monday, July 28, 2025, during the debate on the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, Osei Asare stated, “Mr. Speaker, ask for the prices of plain and not aromatic rice. Ask about the prices of cassava and not all the sophisticated things the Minister came here to announce”.
“You ask for the prices in the market, and it tells you that, clearly, they are not feeling it on the ground”, she added.
Abena Osei Asare further fired shots at Ato Forson for saying he is trying very hard to see how he can reduce the items in the inflation basket.
She emphasised that the finance minister, on one hand, is trying to reduce food prices, but on the other hand introducing new measures to increase transport fares.
“The Minister also mentioned that he is trying very hard to see how he can reduce the items in the inflation basket, so they are going to work on food prices. On one hand, he said, ‘I am trying very hard, I am going to introduce policies that will increase food production’. In another hand, he is bringing a measure that will increase transport fares by more than 30 to 40 per cent,” Abena Osei Asare added.
However, Ato Forson is calling on Ghanaians to remain united and have faith in the country’s economic recovery efforts.
Delivering the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, July 24, Dr. Ato Forson stated, “Mr. Speaker, as we look forward, more jobs will be created, confidence will deepen, and the Ghanaian economy will stand tall again—not just in the sub-region, but on the global stage”.
“To do this, Mr. Speaker, we must stay united as a people and eschew divisiveness. We must continue to have faith in our country, Ghana!” he added.
Ato Forson added, “We understand businesses went through some sacrifices during the turbulent economic challenges, but so did the ordinary Ghanaian”.
