Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has criticized the previous Akufo-Addo administration for failing to be transparent about the true state of the economy, leading to unrealistic expectations among citizens.
Speaking on The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV on Wednesday, March 12—just a day after presenting the 2025 Budget—Dr. Forson revealed that the extent of Ghana’s financial crisis only became fully apparent after the Mahama-led government assumed office.
“We felt that at a point things were improving, only for us to get in and notice the magnitude. But I had always maintained that the government of the day at the time had failed to paint the true state of the economy,” he stated.
Dr. Forson argued that despite claims of economic recovery under the previous administration, the policies implemented did not reflect a country that had turned the corner. He emphasized that the economic prescriptions put in place were inadequate to address Ghana’s financial difficulties.
“If you look at the transmissions, some of the economic policies, it doesn’t reflect an economy that has turned the corner. We were not getting the right prescriptions to take us out,” he noted.
The Finance Minister also criticized the lack of full disclosure regarding the country’s financial situation, stating that Ghanaians deserve honesty and clarity from their leaders.
Dr. Forson called for greater transparency in governance and an honest national dialogue on Ghana’s economic realities. He reiterated that only through clear and truthful communication can sustainable solutions be developed to rebuild the economy.
The 2025 Budget, presented by Dr. Forson, outlines the Mahama administration’s plan to stabilize and restore growth, focusing on economic restructuring, debt management, and social protection programs.