Ato Forson taking credit for work done by Akufo-Addo govt - Ahiagbah

Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has argued that Ghana’s recent economic recovery is the result of policies and reforms implemented by the previous Akufo-Addo administration.

Mr Ahiagbah accused the current Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of taking credit for economic measures they previously opposed while in opposition.

In a post shared on his X page, Mr Ahiagbah stated that the current macroeconomic gains being celebrated by the government were rooted in programmes initiated under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“Let's be clear that what Dr. Ato Forson and the NDC are celebrating about the economy is actually everything they opposed and encouraged Ghanaians to resist when they were in opposition,” he wrote.

According to him, the key policies that laid the foundation for the recovery include:

• The 2023 IMF Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme negotiated by the NPP government
• The Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP)
• External debt restructuring measures
• Fiscal consolidation policies aimed at restoring debt sustainability

Mr Ahiagbah argued that the NDC strongly criticised these measures while in opposition, describing them at the time as insensitive and harmful to ordinary Ghanaians.

“In fact, the NDC opposed every tough but necessary decision made by the NPP government and labeled them insensitive and attacks on Ghanaians,” he stated.

“But here we are: Dr. Ato Forson and the NDC are standing before Ghanaians in Parliament to claim credit for the recovery they opposed.”

The NPP Communications Director maintained that despite the economic hardships experienced during the crisis period, the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration demonstrated leadership by implementing difficult reforms to stabilise the economy.

“The truth is, while it was tough, the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia Administration showed leadership amid great adversity and, together with Ghanaians, regenerated the economy,” he added.

Mr Ahiagbah further suggested that Dr Forson was fully aware that many of the reforms currently driving economic improvements were initiated under the previous government.

“Dr. Ato Forson, in his heart, knows who did the work, but he is taking the credit without acknowledging the one who catalyzed it,” he said.

“You know who did the job, don't you? Stealing credit from the NPP will not do much to save the NDC from the imminent defeat in 2029.”

His remarks come after Dr Forson informed Parliament that Ghana’s economy had moved “from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the Wellness Centre” following improvements in key macroeconomic indicators.

Presenting an economic update to Parliament on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Finance Minister announced that Ghana had successfully completed the final review of its IMF-supported Extended Credit Facility programme and would transition to a non-financing Policy Coordination Instrument (PCI).

According to Dr Forson, the transition marks a shift from crisis-driven economic management to sustained macroeconomic recovery and reform-focused economic governance.

“For Ghana, this marks an important shift from seeking financial bailout to engaging as a credible reform partner while continuing to benefit from policy discipline, external validation and strengthened investor confidence,” he stated.

The Minister also disclosed that Ghana no longer requires an IMF financial bailout in the foreseeable future and would instead continue engaging the International Monetary Fund through policy coordination and reform monitoring mechanisms.

The IMF has also confirmed ongoing discussions with Ghana involving the final ECF review, the 2026 Article IV consultation, and negotiations on a 36-month Policy Coordination Instrument focused on fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and economic resilience.

The debate over credit for Ghana’s economic recovery is expected to remain a major political issue as both the NPP and NDC seek to shape public opinion ahead of future elections.