The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, has passionately defended the party’s capacity to overcome Ghana’s current economic difficulties.

The former Foreign Minister urged citizens to “examine their lives and vote wisely.”

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, November 26, Mr Owusu-Agyeman acknowledged the struggles Ghanaians are facing but expressed confidence in the leadership of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the party’s agenda for national transformation.

“Graduating, so to speak, from Covid-19, where we are, there are a whole lot of problems,” he said, acknowledging the economic challenges that have particularly affected urban areas.

“There are problems which they must tackle. But on the other hand, the totality of what has been done nationwide is way beyond that time when we thought we had a slogan. People must also recognize that in any human institution, there will be difficulties. It’s not always smooth sailing.”

He stressed the importance of considering the broader national progress under the NPP, despite the immediate hardships.

“If this nation is moving forward—and indeed it is moving forward—then people must also recognize that fact,” he added.

When asked whether the NPP admits to the country’s difficult circumstances, Mr Owusu-Agyeman said, “Oh yes, there are certain things you cannot run away from. If you used to buy a ball of Kenkey for, say, 3p and now you are buying it for 5p, quite obviously you know the difference.

"The people are awake. Their eyes are open. But they know if I am now buying the kenkey for 3p to 5p, what else am I getting? Vis-a-vis my own personal development and the development of the nation.”

The former New Juaben MP argued that while economic hardships are undeniable, they must be viewed in the context of the government’s long-term vision and efforts.

“Acknowledging the difficulties we have does not mean we are running away from them. No, you can’t. Facts are facts. We shall do what we have to do to make sure that our children and our children’s children will have a country with a completely different orientation.”

He expressed confidence in the measures proposed by Dr Bawumia and the NPP to tackle the economic crisis, stating the importance of execution and accountability.

“What you put on paper, whether through the manifesto or wherever you are, believe you me, these measures, if well executed, monitored, and chaperoned, would certainly lead us to the promised land,” he said.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman rejected the idea that the challenges negate the government’s progress, asserting that hardships are part of every nation’s journey toward growth.

“No nation moves forward without challenges,” he stressed.

“It’s absolutely important to face them head-on. And we are determined to resolve it. We are determined to ensure that our actions do not short-change the people of this nation.”

The veteran politician further described the NPP’s agenda as transformative, aiming to uplift Ghanaians from poverty and create a legacy of national prosperity.

“We are breeding true to type, so to speak, and we are not in any way doing anything that will short-change the people of this nation,” he declared.

Hackman Owusu-Agyeman’s remarks come as the NPP campaigns to retain power in the face of growing discontent over the economy.

His message seeks to rally Ghanaians to trust in the party’s long-term vision while addressing the immediate challenges.

As he put it, “Even if people have to examine their lives and vote wisely, they will vote for the NPP.”