In a recent interview on JoyNews’ PM Express programme, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, shared insights into the party’s internal assessment of President John Mahama’s administration in its first 120 days.
The results are largely positive, rating the government’s performance at 54%. Here’s a breakdown of what Kwetey and the NDC are saying about the administration’s progress:
1. A fair assessment amidst challenges
Kwetey acknowledged the difficulty of the task at hand, given the state of the country following eight years of leadership by the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He emphasized that while perfection was not expected in just four months, a rating of 52-54% was a good starting point given the inherited circumstances.
2. Alignment with independent assessments
The NDC’s internal review aligns closely with independent ratings, such as from IMANI, which gave a score of 52%. However, the NPP rated the government’s performance at a lower 46%. This indicates that the NDC believes its approach is on the right track, despite criticisms.
3. A commitment to high standards
The NDC leadership is focused on changing the country’s governance style. Kwetey highlighted the party’s commitment to higher standards and a “reset” in leadership, promising to avoid short-changing the nation and to address corruption with genuine efforts, like the newly launched code of conduct.
4. Revisiting the gift acceptance policy
A key point of discussion was the GH¢20,000 ceiling on gifts officials can accept, a provision within the code of conduct. Kwetey stated that this could be revisited through dialogue to ensure it meets the public’s expectations and remains transparent.
5. Gold board initiative boosting economic stability
On the economic front, Kwetey credited the stability of the cedi to the gold board initiative, which has successfully brought in $2.6 billion in foreign exchange revenue in just four months. This success has far surpassed past inflows from other sectors like cocoa.
6. Job creation focused on empowerment
Addressing concerns about the “Jumra” job creation program, Kwetey defended it as a shift away from the past practice of distributing state funds. Instead, the initiative focuses on supporting the informal sector, helping workers with tools and logistics to grow their businesses.
7. Refuting claims on chief justice removal
Kwetey dismissed claims by the NPP that the NDC is plotting to remove the Chief Justice, calling the accusations panic-driven. He reassured that any constitutional process being discussed would follow the legal framework.
8.Looking ahead to the 2028 elections
Looking towards the 2028 general elections, Kwetey expressed confidence in the NDC’s ability to manage the transition to a new presidential candidate. He emphasized that unity within the party and success in governance would make the transition smoother.
9. Kwetey’s presidential ambitions
When asked about his own presidential ambitions, Kwetey clarified that it would be up to the party delegates to decide. He stated that his personal ambition would not stand in the way of the party’s choice, and he would support whoever the delegates choose.
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