Declare cost of redenomination, President Mahama dares NPP

By Edmund Mingle

President John Mahama yesterday challenged the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to disclose the cost of the Cedi redenomination exercise its government conducted in 2007.

According to the President, Ghanaians need to know the cost, wondering why it has been kept secret by the NPP.

“Even I as President do not know how much it cost the nation for the redenomination,” he said.

Addressing a mammoth rally at Darkuman in Accra as part of his second phase of his campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region, President Mahama accused the NPP of corruption in the conduct of the redenomination.

President Mahama addressing supporters at the rally
 at Darkuman in Accra

He particularly challenged NPP’s running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who was the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana at the time of the redenomination, to disclose the cost if they have nothing to hide.

“At least my administration has been transparent and accountable in all projects we have undertaken, but the same cannot be said about the NPP government whose activities were shrouded in secrecy,” he said.

“They have failed to remove the log in their eyes, and rather want Ghanaians to think that we are corrupt by making false corruption allegations about our projects.

“They think Ghanaians have forgotten about their corrupt practices,” he said.

Responding to accusations of economic mismanagement leveled against his administration by the NPP flagbearer at the party’s manifesto launch last Sunday, President Mahama described it as an attempt to deceive Ghanaians.

“The NPP left us with a budget deficit of 19 per cent and we have reduced it to nearly five per cent.

“Who then should be accused of mismanagement?” he asked.

Touching on job creation, President said his administration’s high investment in infrastructure development, education, skills training and enterprise development intervention would result in jobs for the people.

“No President would line up Ghanaians and distribute monies to them,” he said, and cautioned the electorate to be suspicious of parties promising to supply monies.

He said the policy of his party is to provide infrastructure for businesses to thrive and also equip the youth with the requisite education and skills to enable them to secure job to earn incomes.

From Darkuman, the President moved to Fadama where he called on the National Chief Imam and Muslim elders, as well as addressed a large crowd of supporters.

Earlier he visited the Kaneshie Market where he interacted with the traders, promising them of plans to upgrade the market as well as various trade facilitation interventions such as small loans to enhance their work.

He also addressed a rally at Bubuashie where he urged the electorate to have faith in the competence of his administration to propel the rapid development of the country.