The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has defended former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s recent critique of the Akufo-Addo administration, insisting that his comments merely reflected the undeniable realities that shaped Ghana’s economic direction ahead of the 2024 elections.

Former President Kufuor, speaking on The Delay Show, highlighted several key policy decisions including the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), the National Cathedral project, and the controversial Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal, as major factors that contributed to the party’s electoral defeat.

Reacting to these remarks, the NPP’s Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, said the former president’s observations should be viewed in the context of admissions already made by former President Akufo-Addo regarding the weight and consequences of those decisions.

“Former President Kufuor spoke the obvious. What he said is not different from the facts. Even President Akufo-Addo himself has said that the DDEP was a very difficult decision for him,” he said.

“If you listen to Kufuor, he says the Akufo-Addo government was doing very well until COVID came. After COVID, things were never the same, and policies had to be implemented to keep Ghana’s economy strong. What he [Kufuor] said is obvious, and the party fully agrees with it,” he added.

Mr Mohammed emphasised that although the measures—particularly the DDEP—were painful, they were crucial to stabilising the economy at a critical point.

He insisted that the current economic recovery under the Mahama administration is, in large part, a result of the groundwork laid by the Akufo-Addo government.

“DDEP was a difficult decision, but today this government is enjoying the programme as it came with so many positives. We were given debt reliefs, cancellations, and extensions and today Ghana's economy is stronger.

“The Finance Minister admitted that some of the debt programmes were very good for the economy, and they are enjoying the fruits.”