The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has welcomed a report by the Economists Intelligence Unit (EIU), predicting victory for the party in the 2020 election.
The EIU in its country report said it will be difficult for the opposition NDC under former President John Dramani Mahama to portray itself as the better custodian of Ghana’s economy, especially as the country’s growth figures look fairly strong.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the report was a true reflection of the reality on the ground.
“The Akufo-Addo administration views these reports first as feedback which enables us evaluate our progress of work in creating prosperity and equal opportunities for all as stated in our 2016 manifesto. Government assures all that it remains committed to fulfilling its campaign promises.
“Notably, rebuilding a strong economy, developing and executing strong flagship programmes and transforming various aspects of our national lives. For us, this report is a reflection of the situation on the ground and confirms a good number of Ghanaians already see and feel. Government will continue to study these reports and review our policies when necessary.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) earlier rubbished the report, describing it as inaccurate.
The NDC in a statement said: “the EIU’s predictions are not sacrosanct or proven facts.”
“Even though some of their previous predictions have come to pass, they have also gotten it wrong on many occasions. For instance, the EIU predicted a 2008 general election victory for candidate Nana Akufo-Addo, but Prof. J.E.A Mills of the NDC won that election.”
The opposition party also questioned the report’s perspective saying it “failed to take into consideration the real issues that affect Ghanaians, thereby making their prognostication faulty to a large extent.”
“We, therefore, submit, that the latest prediction by the EIU that it ‘expects Mr. Akufo-Addo and the NPP to secure re-election in 2020’ is bound to fail if not reviewed. The NPP’s ship is sinking fast, and nothing can save it. Akufo-Addo has failed Ghanaians and will be rejected in 2020,” it added.