A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Upper East Regional Communications Team, Edward Asekere, says ordinary Ghanaians are experiencing real economic improvements under the current government, pointing to lower fuel prices and a significant reduction in inflation.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show on Monday, January 26, 2026, Mr. Asekere responded directly to comments made by Dr. Samuel Akonga, an aspirant for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Upper East Regional Communications Director position, who had credited earlier NPP policies for stabilising the cedi and improving economic conditions.
Mr. Asekere said critics who argue that the current administration has “not implemented any policy that has benefited the people of Ghana” misunderstand the tangible gains felt by ordinary citizens. Citing fuel prices as an example, he said that when the NPP was last in power, a gallon of petrol cost as much as 76.5 cedis. But by December 2025, he said, the price had fallen to about 44.55 cedis in high-selling stations, roughly a 30-cedi reduction.
“That is what the people are experiencing,” Asekere said. “If you bought something for two cedis at the market yesterday, you still buy it for two cedis today. During the NPP regime, if you bought something for one cedi, the next day it could be sold for two cedis. Inflation was high.”
He noted that inflation has now dropped to the mid-single digits, around 5.4%, and stressed that markets have remained open and functional, allowing governments to generate revenue and pay salaries without resorting to drastic closures.
“What has been done differently,” Mr. Asekere said, “is that people with experience have been put in place to manage the system. Corruption has been reduced. People have not packed monies into their rooms.”
His comments came in the wake of remarks by Dr. Akonga, a member of the NPP’s Upper East Regional Communication Team, who attributed part of Ghana’s recent economic stability, including the strengthening of the cedi and reduction in inflation, to “dynamic and resilient” policies implemented by the previous NPP government led by former President Nana Akufo-Addo. Dr. Akonga said those policies were now delivering positive medium- to long-term effects, with some benefits being realised in the present economy.
In an interview on January 27, 2026, Dr. Akonga said favourable global dynamics have also played a role, but he stressed that the NDC government has not yet introduced any bold policies that can be singled out as the basis for the current gains.
“We put in place certain dynamic policies that were resilient enough,” Dr. Akonga told Day Break Upper East, adding that identifying concrete new policies by the current government that have directly stabilised the economy is difficult.
Mr. Asekere, however, argued that ordinary citizens are already feeling the effects of sound economic management under the NDC-led administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
“The fuel price has dropped, inflation is in the single digits, markets are operating — those are real benefits that people see,” he said, emphasising that economic improvement is not only about GDP figures but also about tangible daily experiences.
The conflicting views from the two political communicators highlight a broader debate in Ghana’s political landscape as the country navigates post–economic adjustment program challenges and prepares for upcoming elections.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
