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.
You may also like...
Coursera Buys Udemy: A Reflection on Tech, Education and What Comes Next
Plans for the Coursera-Udemy merger is currently underway. This article explains Coursera's planned $2.5 billion acquisi...
US, Nigeria Sign $2.1bn Health Agreement with Focus on Christian Faith-Based Facilities
The US and Nigeria sign a five-year $2.1bn health pact prioritising Christian faith-based hospitals, linking expanded ca...
It’s That Time of The Year Again… Did You Actually Achieve Your 2025 Resolutions?
As the year winds down, many are taking a hard look at the goals they set in January. Did 2025 turn out the way you plan...
Escaping Poverty Is Not A Career Plan—Rethinking The Career And Hustle Culture
A commentary on career and hustle culture in Africa, examining why escaping poverty is not a career plan and what we can...
AFCON 2025 Kicks Off in Style as Davido Headlines Dazzling Opening Ceremony in Morocco

AFCON 2025 officially begins in Rabat with a vibrant opening ceremony headlined by Davido, blending football, music, and...
NBA Record Books Shaken as Bulls Edge Hawks in 152–150 Offensive Spectacle

The Chicago Bulls defeat the Atlanta Hawks 152–150 in the NBA’s highest-scoring game of the season, rewriting records in...
Scorsese and DiCaprio Prepare for Another Psychological Descent as “What Happens at Night” Nears Production

Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio are set to reunite for the psychological thriller What Happens at Night, with film...
Percy Jackson Soars Again as Season Two Conquers Disney+ and Earns Perfect Reviews

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 dominates Disney+ viewership and earns a rare perfect critics’ score as the ser...



