Deputy Finance Minister Urges Voters to Measure Mahama’s Economic Record Against NPP Era

Ghana’s Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has mounted a robust defence of the country’s economic recovery, urging Ghanaians to evaluate the performance of the Mahama administration against the state of the economy it inherited rather than political rhetoric.

Addressing public concerns following the presentation of the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, the deputy minister argued that any honest assessment of the government’s stewardship must begin with the economic realities left behind by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. According to him, the latest macroeconomic indicators demonstrate that Ghana is steadily emerging from one of its most challenging economic periods.

Mr. Ampem maintained that the government’s policy direction has begun yielding measurable results, citing stronger economic growth, easing inflation, improving fiscal discipline and renewed investor confidence as evidence that the economy is regaining stability.

“The economy should be judged based on where it was when we assumed office and where it stands today,” he stressed, insisting that objective economic data—not partisan commentary—should shape public opinion.

The comments come at a time when the government is seeking to consolidate confidence in its economic agenda after unveiling a mid-year fiscal update that highlighted gains across several key indicators. Officials say the improving outlook reflects prudent fiscal management, tighter expenditure controls and reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability while laying the foundation for sustained growth.

The deputy minister noted that rebuilding an economy burdened by high inflation, rising debt and weakened public finances could not be achieved overnight. He argued that the administration has instead prioritised restoring stability before accelerating investment, job creation and private sector expansion.

His remarks also serve as a direct response to opposition criticisms that recent improvements have not translated into meaningful relief for ordinary Ghanaians. While acknowledging that many households continue to face economic pressures, Mr. Ampem insisted the government’s reforms are beginning to produce tangible outcomes that will become more visible over time.

The debate over Ghana’s economic performance has intensified following the Mid-Year Budget Review, with both the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition NPP presenting competing narratives about the country’s fiscal health. Government officials argue that the latest figures point to a resilient economy on the path to sustained recovery, while the opposition maintains that more must be done to improve living standards.

For the Mahama administration, however, the message remains clear: Ghana’s economic progress should be measured not by political slogans but by the trajectory of key economic indicators since the government assumed office.

As discussions over the country’s economic direction continue, the latest challenge from the Deputy Finance Minister reinforces what is likely to remain the central political and economic question in the years ahead: not simply where the economy is today, but how far it has travelled from where it started.