Ghanaians still face hardships, but conditions have improved significantly - Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, has openly acknowledged that while Ghanaians continue to face hardships, there have been notable improvements in the country’s economic conditions since the era of former President John Mahama.

Reflecting on his 2016 campaign, Dr. Bawumia recalled highlighting the widespread suffering among various professional groups as a key reason for change. However, during a media interaction on Sunday, August 25, at the Accra-Movenpick Hotel, he provided a more nuanced view, recognizing the strides made over the past few years.

Dr. Bawumia pointed to several indicators of progress, including the growth in gross domestic product (GDP) and per capita income, alongside substantial job creation efforts, as evidence that the country is moving in the right direction.

“I remember vividly stating in 2016 that teachers, doctors, nurses, journalists—everyone was suffering. That was indeed the reality at the time,” Dr. Bawumia remarked. “But we have made significant strides since then. The focus has been on reducing suffering through job creation and social interventions to ease the hardships faced by our people.”

He emphasized the importance of looking at the broader picture, noting that the government has created over 2.1 million jobs and significantly increased per capita income in cedi terms. “GDP has risen, and per capita income has nearly tripled. We’ve managed to keep all public sector workers employed, even during the challenging COVID-19 period.”

Dr. Bawumia also highlighted the government’s efforts to maintain stability and prevent the recurrence of severe power outages (popularly known as “Dumsor”), which plagued the nation under the previous administration. Additionally, he mentioned the restoration of allowances for nursing and teacher trainees as part of the government’s broader strategy to alleviate suffering.

“Yes, the suffering hasn’t completely disappeared,” Dr. Bawumia admitted. “But we’ve implemented numerous social interventions to reduce the hardships our people face. We can point to tangible actions that have made a difference.”

Dr. Bawumia’s remarks underscore a commitment to continuing efforts aimed at improving the lives of Ghanaians, even as challenges remain. His message reflects a balance between acknowledging the difficulties and highlighting the progress made under the current administration.