Stabilizing the cedi wasn’t part of NDC’s initial plan, but it’s happening. So, all the propaganda around it should stop – Charles McCarthy

The ongoing review of President John Dramani Mahama’s first 120 days in office has sparked intense political discussions, particularly following the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) critique and remarks by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. Reacting to these developments on Kessben TV’s Maakye show, Charles McCarthy, Managing Editor of The Hawk newspaper, described the current atmosphere in Parliament and the direction of political discourse as troubling.

McCarthy began by strongly criticizing Parliament, saying, “Ghana’s Parliament is a crime scene.” He explained that when lawmakers can break or contradict the very laws they are meant to uphold, and it doesn’t seem to bother the conscience of the House, it points to a serious decline in governance.

Touching on Afenyo-Markin’s comments regarding President Mahama’s supposed intentions to alter constitutional provisions, McCarthy raised concerns about judicial independence. He suggested that the Minority Leader’s claims imply that Mahama may be attempting to influence the judiciary particularly by replacing the Chief Justice to pave the way for constitutional changes that could favor his government. “The independence of the judiciary has been called to question,” he warned.

Addressing other aspects of the opposition’s verdict, McCarthy dismissed what he called “flimsy claims” from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and Organized Labour about an increase in illegal mining (galamsey) under Mahama. “Unfortunately, the TUC and Organized Labour didn’t provide any data to back their claim that galamsey is worse now than under former President Akufo-Addo. The fact that the Minority Leader would echo that without evidence is really appalling,” he said.

On the achievements within the 120-day timeframe, McCarthy pointed out that some of the positive outcomes, like the improved cedi-to-dollar exchange rate, were not even listed in Mahama’s original social contract. “Ghanaians should understand that stabilizing the cedi wasn’t even part of the initial plan, but it’s happening. So all the propaganda around it should stop,” he argued.
He further asked, “As citizens, is it that we always wait for things to go wrong just so we have something to talk about?”

McCarthy praised the current government’s tolerance for civil liberties. “In just four months, two major demonstrations have taken place without interference. From 2017 to 2020 under the NPP, not even one demonstration was allowed until the latter part of Akufo-Addo’s term and even then, many demonstrators were arrested,” he noted.

Concluding his remarks, McCarthy urged Ghanaians to judge President Mahama based on the 25 promises he outlined in his 120-day social contract. “If you are fair and objective, you’ll see that most of those promises have either been delivered or are clearly in progress.”

By: Gifty Bediako Yamoah