The Real Woman King in West Africa: Dr. Valarie Sawyerr Pledged Measures to Stabilize Cedi during 2024 election

Mr. Abednego Orstin Rawlings, President of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) Ghana, has highlighted Dr. Valarie Sawyerr, former Deputy Chief of Staff under both the late President John Evans Fiifi Atta-Mills and His Excellency John Mahama, as the only woman who truly championed her campaign pledges during the 2024 election.

Dr. Sawyerr, who met with the AFRICOM Boss, urged Ghanaians to cast their votes wisely and massively for then-Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), President John Dramani Mahama, and all NDC parliamentary candidates during the election campaign period.

This, she indicated, resulted in a landslide victory for her boss and numerous parliamentary victories for the National Democratic Congress.

She stated that the parliamentary seats won by the National Democratic Congress were based on substantial pledges made to Ghanaians, such as stabilizing the Cedi from GHC 17.00 to GHC 11.00, or single digit.

Other pledges included Mahama establishing an Inland Port in the North-East region, reviving Pomadze Feed Mill, and restoring Black Star Line and Ghana Airways, Agbogbloshie market into an International ultra-modern market and more.

She noted that proposals and plans for these initiatives are currently under preparation for implementation.

The former two-term Deputy Chief of Staff further stated that the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress has unveiled plans to stabilize the depreciating Ghanaian Cedi if re-elected.

She pointed out that the Cedi is currently performing favorably against other foreign currencies, and more measures will be implemented to ensure its continued stability.

As the current Senior Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs to the President, she believes she has every right within the government to implement measures to curb businesses from rushing for foreign currencies to import common perishable goods like tomatoes, onions, and peppers, which are daily necessities and most of which can be grown in Ghana.

She emphasized that she pledged to Ghanaians that her boss, as a selfless leader, has proposed measures centered on establishing forex desks in all banks to ensure regulated access to foreign currencies, especially for businesses adhering to Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) regulations, she indicated.

“Even though we haven’t fully reached that point, the Cedi is performing well against major currencies, and this shows Mahama’s government has Ghana and Ghanaians at both heart and mind,” the “Woman King” pointed out.

Mahama emphasized that the Bank of Ghana, under directives from the Ministry of Finance, would manage these forex desks to prioritize companies that meet tax and SSNIT compliance.

This move aims to streamline foreign currency transactions and gradually reduce pressure on the Cedi.

She stated that the current Mahama government has former ministers with rich experience in governance, such as Dr. Kwabena duffuor, Seth Emmanuel Terkpeh, Marietta Brew Oppong Appiah, herself and more, working ahead with the current lean government ministers.

She criticized the previous government led by President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for economic mismanagement and heavy taxation, including the controversial E-levy and betting taxes, which she claimed “the NPP held on the necks of average Ghanaians,” the “Woman King” fumed.

Mahama pledged to abolish these taxes to ease the burden on Ghanaians, which she asserted he has already begun to do and will continue to do more to release average Ghanaians from the “artificial burdens Dr. Bawumia initiated on Ghanaians,” she fumed.

Key reforms in Mahama’s plan include stricter penalties for unauthorized forex trading and transactions.

Businesses pricing goods or properties in foreign currencies will face legal consequences, she warned.

She also proposed reintroducing foreign account taxes and capping weekly foreign currency transfers to curb capital flight.

Dr. Valerie Sawyer, a senior NDC official, backed Mahama’s strategy, recalling the relative stability of the Cedi during his previous administration.

She attributed previous NPP economic challenges to what she called “reckless and incompetent” financial management by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mahama’s policy will ensure businesses with over 20 employees, compliant with SSNIT regulations, gain access to flexible forex services.

She also vowed to hold individuals and institutions accountable for illegal currencies trading, while ensuring diplomatic missions and foreign nationals adhere to Ghana’s financial laws.

The former president assured Ghanaians that his measures would restore the Cedi’s strength, boost investors confidence, and position Ghana for sustainable economic recovery, which is “on course to make the Reset Ghana agenda become a reality to benefit average Ghanaians,” the “Woman King” charged.