A former Deputy Finance Minister Kwaku Kwarteng has clarified the reasons behind his recent criticism of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP). 

In a discussion on Joy News' PM Express, Mr Kwarteng addressed the backlash from his critical article, emphasising that economic mismanagement is a recurring issue across various administrations, not limited to the NPP.

He explained that his decision to publicly criticize the party stemmed from a deep concern for the future, particularly for his children.

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Mr Kwarteng expressed that he could not support decisions in Parliament that he believed would negatively impact future generations. 

The former Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee also noted that his views on the governance issues are not isolated but are shared by several colleagues from both the Majority and Minority sides in Parliament. 

He emphasised the need for a healthy discourse where differing opinions can be expressed openly without facing intimidation or backlash.

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The Obuasi West MP urged that those with alternative perspectives should be allowed to express their views freely, stressing the importance of open dialogue in addressing the nation’s challenges. 

By airing his views, Mr Kwarteng insists he hopes to contribute to a more transparent and effective governance process, aiming to foster a political environment where diverse opinions are respected and considered.

"When I get home from work and I see my kids, I hug them. And the next time, when I come to work, I come and support decisions that will hurt their future. I can’t live with that and I can’t support that," he said.

The lawmaker stated that many Ghanaians, including himself, are concerned that if the country continues on its current path, its democracy could collapse, taking all political parties with it.

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He noted that since independence, the political norm has been for parties to sing praises of their past achievements and make grand promises for the future when going into elections.

“At the same time, a political party must paint its opponents in the worst possible light. We have mastered this art, and in the process, we have forgotten that politics should be about the future of our children and our motherland. We have reduced election campaigns to bitter struggles between competitors seeking power for the wrong reasons.”

Kwaku Kwarteng also likened the management of Ghana's economy to a Ponzi scheme.

According to him, the current economic challenges at both national and household levels stem from decades of poor governance, marked by political mismanagement and economic inefficiency across various administrations.