Mahama's Bombshell: Covid-19 Erased Decades of African Poverty, Political Rivals React

President John Mahama recently made headlines following his address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he shared perspectives on critical global issues. His speech, delivered on a Thursday, covered significant topics such as immigration, financing for development, the Middle East conflict, and climate change, earning him commendation on the international stage.
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the former Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Karaga, lauded President Mahama’s address, particularly praising his insights and eloquent delivery. Dr. Adam acknowledged the President’s leadership capabilities as showcased globally, stating in a Facebook post that the address was "truly commendable." However, Dr. Adam also raised concerns about the translation of this international vision into tangible national development within Ghana. He pointedly remarked on the domestic situation, noting that "the reset economy is not resetting, whilst galamsey is out of control and free speech is being murdered," urging that Mahama’s global perspectives should inform his decision-making for Ghana's benefit.
In a separate but equally significant development at a side event of the 80th UN General Assembly, specifically one dubbed 'Accra Reset', President Mahama publicly admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on Ghana's economy. This statement marked a notable shift from the National Democratic Congress's (NDC) previous position during the 2024 election campaign. During that period, Mahama and the NDC had consistently rejected claims by the then-ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government that the pandemic had significantly set back Ghana's economy, leading to a soaring cost of living and revenue cuts.
President Mahama was quoted by Ghana Television as saying, “The Covid-19 pandemic erased two decades of poverty reduction in less than two years.” This admission surprised many political commentators, who recalled the NDC's earlier stance. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President, reacted to this development during his campaign tour of the Eastern Region. Dr. Bawumia emphasized the stark contrast with the 2024 election narrative, where the NPP had attributed economic challenges to Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, claims which the NDC then dismissed as "economic mismanagement."
Dr. Bawumia stated that President Mahama had known the truth all along but chose not to disclose it during the campaign. He expressed gratitude, remarking, "But by the grace of God he has now said the truth. And by God's grace, we will all see the truth." The former Vice President’s comments underscored the perception that Mahama’s recent acknowledgment served to vindicate the position previously held by the Akufo-Addo administration regarding the profound economic disruption caused by the global pandemic.
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