Mahama Is Talk & Do President–Ayariga

**Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader**

Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader in Parliament, spoke about the 2025 budget. He stated that it shows President John Dramani Mahama as a "Talk-and-Do President."

“He promised to abolish the e-Levy, and it is gone. He also removed the Betting tax. Emission levies are scrapped as well,” he declared.

**Key Reforms and Fiscal Policies**

During the debate on March 25, 2025, Mr. Ayariga highlighted key policy measures in the budget. These include reducing government spending and streamlining governance structures.

“President Mahama pledged to reduce government size, and he is delivering,” he said. Ministries will be cut from 30 to 23, and ministers from 88 to 60.

He noted that eliminating development authorities would reduce bureaucracy and duplication of roles. “This budget prioritizes efficiency over waste,” he emphasized.

The capping of GETFund will be removed, allowing struggling schools to receive funding.

**Energy Crisis and Infrastructure Development**

Mr. Ayariga described the energy sector as being in major crisis due to neglect under the NPP government. He assured that the Mahama-led administration is committed to restoring stability.

“John Dramani Mahama promised to fix the energy crisis, and we are addressing it,” he explained. The Ghana Gold Board will stabilize the cedi.

Unfreezing key funds like the National Health Insurance Levy will help critical infrastructure projects.

He challenged opposition claims that the budget lacks innovation. “This budget is creative and well-thought-out,” he asserted.

**Mismanagement under NPP**

Mr. Ayariga criticized the previous NPP administration for financial recklessness leading to state-owned enterprises' collapse.

“The 2022 audit report showed losses of over GHC 60 million at Bank of Ghana.” Today, that figure has risen to over GHC 70 billion due to poor decisions made over eight years.

He cited examples like Ghana Water Company and Tema Oil Refinery as once-profitable entities now insolvent under NPP management.

“In 2016, Ghana Water Company was solvent with a profit of GHC 2.4 billion,” he added.

**Prosecution of Former Officials**

Mr. Ayariga called for legal action against former officials involved in fraudulent transactions.

“We lost GHC 720 million due to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal.” A KPMG audit revealed misuse of funds generated from e-Levy.

He accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of benefiting from Eurobond transactions between 2018 and 2021.

“In total, his private bank earned $9.2 million in fees during this period,” he questioned if this was criminal behavior.

He also mentioned ECG's contract with Huptel involving unnecessary expenditures worsening its financial situation.

**Restoring Control over the Economy**

The Majority Leader warned that Ghana lost control over its financial sector due to indigenous banks' collapse caused by poor decisions by NPP government leaders.

“When you lose control over finance, you lose control over your economy.” The banking sector cleanup cost Ghana GHC 30 billion instead of just GHC 6 billion needed for resolution.

He emphasized that this budget aims to restore economic sovereignty for Ghanaian institutions’ future control over finances.

**Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson**

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson described the budget as a “people-centered” plan addressing socio-economic challenges in Ghana.

“This budget provides hope for all Ghanaians,” he said while urging Parliament’s support for accompanying bills crucial for implementation.