Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has characterized Ghana's current economic landscape as a divergence between official statistics and the lived experience of citizens. Speaking at the NPP's National Thanksgiving Service in Sunyani, he argued that despite government claims of lower inflation and a stronger cedi, the cost of living continues to rise for most Ghanaians. According to MyJoyOnline, Bawumia posited that macroeconomic stability is meaningless if it does not alleviate the suffering of the population, a concept he termed the distinction between a "paper economy" and a "pocket economy."
The candidate highlighted specific sectors where he believes the government has failed to deliver on promises. He noted that cocoa farmers were told they would receive 6,000 cedis per bag, a target he suggested has not been met. Similarly, cashew, soybean, rice, and maize farmers were encouraged to expand production based on promised higher prices, which Bawumia claimed did not materialize. He extended this critique to the public sector, stating that teachers, nurses, and doctors have also been left disappointed by unfulfilled pledges regarding their working conditions and compensation.
Beyond agriculture and health, Bawumia addressed the education sector, accusing the government of failing to fully implement the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy. He claimed that double-tracking classes, the teacher licensure exam, and the automatic posting of teachers remained unresolved issues. He also pointed to the "24-hour economy" initiative, a campaign promise he described as propaganda that has yet to show tangible results after nearly two years. Additionally, he criticized the management of galamsey, or small-scale mining, noting that it has more than tripled and that river bodies now resemble "chocolate milk," a description attributed to Dr. Sam Jonah.
Bawumia also pointed to rising utility costs, including electricity, water, petrol, and transport fares, as evidence that the average citizen is bearing the brunt of economic adjustments. He questioned the utility of a stable currency if the purchasing power of the cedi does not improve daily life. In his concluding remarks, he emphasized that the NPP is preparing for the 2028 election with "costed ideas" and "practical ideas," aiming to avoid the gap between rhetoric and reality that he attributes to the current administration. He asserted that the party will focus on workable solutions that directly link economic stability to the improvement of people's lives.