Member of the NDC legal team, Godwin Edudzi Tamekloe, has asked government to stop blaming ongoing economic hardships on the Covid-19 pandemic since economic indicators were already gloomy prior to the pandemic hitting the shores of the state.

Speaking on Saturday, November 13, 2021, during Newsfile, Dr Tamekloe stated that he had observed conversations where the government through its unofficial spokespersons had attributed the situation to Covid-19.

He contends, however, that everything cannot be blamed on the pandemic.

“As of 2019, the figures were already showing bad signs. That was even before Covid-19 came in,” he said.

He further stated that if the government insists the economic hardships currently being experienced are the result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s only an indication that the government had been building a paper economy where what is presented on paper as facts is different from the reality on the ground.

“Also, when Covid-19 came in, the shutdown was just for 21 days. Before then we were told the economy was sound, robust, resilient. An economy that was sound, robust, and resilient, within 21 days of shutdown, the economy had gone aground.

“What it means is that this administration had basically built a paper economy which is different from the reality associated with our people,” he added.

The comment follows a speech by the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Reverend Philip Naameh, who has lamented the perceived level of corruption perpetrated by political actors.

Speaking at the plenary session of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference in Wa on Monday, November 8, 2021, Most Rev Naameh said corruption is having a toll on the national economy, thereby increasing Ghana’s poverty situation.

Former President John Dramani Mahama added his voice to the conversation following responses the comment received from staunch members of the New Patriotic Party, including former MP for the Adentan Constituency and Director of Communications for the NPP, Yaw Buaben Asamoa.

Mr Mahama described the NPP’s response to the comments by the Catholic Bishops Conference as the arrogance of power.

But in a rebuttal, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin has asked both parties to allow the government to perform its duties since it is not oblivious of the situation and is working towards resolving it.