Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP, Andrew Egyapa Mercer has conceded that his own government failed to adequately communicate with and carry the Ghanaian public along during the implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).
Speaking on Newsfile, Mr Mercer described the DDEP period through the words of President Nana Akufo-Addo, acknowledging it was a time of profound difficulty that demanded better public engagement.
While defending the economic necessity of the debt restructuring, Mercer made a striking admission about its political execution.
“His Excellency the President himself has publicly stated that it was one of the darkest periods in his presidency. It created huge difficulties for the people of Ghana,” Mr Mercer said.
He then added the critical self-assessment: “I believe that we probably didn’t carry Ghanaians along sufficiently enough during that period, like the President did during the COVID era.”
This comparison to the COVID-19 communication strategy highlights a perceived gap.
During the pandemic, daily briefings and direct addresses were common, while the complex financial crisis of the DDEP, which eroded savings and investments for many, was not met with the same level of public explanation and dialogue.
Mr Mercer was quick to justify the policy, framing it as a bitter but essential medicine. “But it was necessary. And the effect is what is leading to the reduction in our debt profile today,” he argued, connecting the past hardship directly to the current improved debt sustainability and economic indicators like falling inflation.
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