Minority Caucus describes 2025 Budget as “Nnaadaa”

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com

March 11, 2025
0 Comments

The Minority in Parliament has described the Mahama government’s maiden Budget Statement and Economic Policy as “Nnaadaa Budget” that fails to address the worsening cost of living crisis in the country.

Addressing a press conference after the Budget presentation yesterday, the former Minister of Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam, said the budget ignored the pressing economic hardships Ghanaians were confronted with, such as the rising food and fuel prices, high utility costs and inflation.

He indicated that the Ghanaian people voted for the NDC due to the rising cost of living. He therefore wondered how the government could be so insensitive as to fail to even comment on it, let alone initiate any measures to address the situation.

“The budget did not address cost of living issues. Transport fares continue to increase. There was no mention of stabilising petroleum prices. It did not address energy bills, electricity bills, or water bills. Looking at all the indicators, these bills will continue to increase. We thought that, having campaigned on the cost of living crisis and come to power with the support of the Ghanaian people, the least the government could do was present a budget that would address the cost of living crisis in terms of transport fares, petroleum prices, and energy bills,” he stated.

Dr Adam also criticised the Finance Minister for trying to deceive the masses regarding the country’s real economic status, stating that the Minister preferred instead to lament with his own ‘cooked’ figures while hesitating in announcing the country’s current economic indicators.

Doing a comparative analysis of the economy the erstwhile NPP government inherited in 2017 and the economy left for the new government, Dr Adam stated that real GDP growth for the last quarter of 2024 was 5.7%, as released by the Ghana Statistical Service and confirmed by the Finance Minister, against a growth rate of 3.4% in 2016 and a projected growth rate of 4% in 2025.

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com

Politics

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
March 25, 2025
0 Comments
2 minutes Read

State power must not be weaponised – Minority decries intimidation tactics

The Minority in Parliament has strongly condemned what it describes as the blatant weaponisation of state power against political opponents, warning that such actions undermine democracy and the rule of law.

Addressing a press conference on 24th March 2025, Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, criticised recent raids on the residences of former government officials, including the immediate past Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison.

“State power must be exercised in good faith, not wielded as a weapon of political intimidation,” he stated, adding that the security services’ actions were eroding public trust in law enforcement institutions.

The Minority accused the Attorney-General of overstepping his constitutional mandate by directing arrests and prejudging cases before they are prosecuted in court.

“Since when did we have an Attorney-General who himself orders arrests, conducts investigations, and examines his own evidence?” Shaib questioned.

He emphasised that the Attorney-General’s role is to assess evidence presented by investigative agencies rather than interfere in the process.

According to the Minority, this approach risks turning the justice system into a political tool rather than an impartial mechanism for upholding the law.

The press statement further highlighted the arrest and public parading of the former Director of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu Boahene, as well as the unlawful raids on the homes of former ministers such as Ken Ofori-Atta and John Peter Amewu.

“These arrests, detentions, midnight home raids, and threats are relics of the coup era and have no place in a functioning democracy,” Shaib asserted.

He also pointed to reports of security operatives using excessive force, including dismantling CCTV cameras during the raid on Dr Addison’s residence.

Calling for an immediate end to these alleged intimidation tactics, the Minority urged civil society, the media, and all Ghanaians to hold the government accountable. “Ghana’s democracy cannot thrive under a climate of fear and selective justice,” Shaib warned.

He further stressed that the role of state institutions is to serve the people, not to settle political scores, adding, “If you have evidence against someone, go to court. If you don’t, don’t malign people through press conferences.”

Politics

goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
March 24, 2025
0 Comments
2 minutes Read

Minority caucus accuses Attorney-General of power abuse

The Minority in Parliament has accused the Attorney General of overstepping his authority by ordering raids, arrests, and investigations into former government appointees.

The caucus contends that these actions represent an abuse of power and a deviation from the Attorney General’s constitutional role.

According to the Minority, the Attorney General’s primary duty is to provide legal counsel to investigative agencies and support the judiciary in the fair dispensation of justice. However, they argue that his current approach undermines these principles and threatens the independence of Ghana’s legal system.

Addressing the press on Monday, 24 March 20254, the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, criticised the Attorney General’s conduct, stating that he was acting beyond his remit.

“The Attorney General is an officer of the court. His interest is to assist the court in dispensing justice when investigators bring their case and evidence. The posture of the new AG undermines this role. He is no longer acting as an officer of the court but instead acting as someone who has conducted his own inquisition, determined the guilt of a suspect, and is seeking to force his views on the court,” he asserted.

The Minority further condemned the recent raid on the residence of the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, describing it as unlawful. They revealed that the National Security Coordinator had personally apologised to Dr Addison, a move they claim affirms the illegality of the operation.

Raising questions about the conduct of the security operatives, Shaib stated: “If indeed a court-issued warrant existed, why was it not presented to Dr Addison before or during the raid? Why was force used to overpower his private security? Why was the CCTV camera dismantled and taken away? Transparency is a hallmark that ensures lawful enforcement.”

He emphasised that such operations cast doubt on the legality and intent of the government’s actions.

“No amount of legal or public relations spin can undo the facts. Dr Addison’s home was raided under highly questionable circumstances. If their actions were truly lawful and above board, why did the National Security Coordinator feel compelled to apologise? If there was no wrongdoing, what exactly was the apology for?” he questioned.