Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, says the government remains committed to delivering on its promises despite the challenges it inherited from the previous administration.
He acknowledged that the NDC has not yet fulfilled its promise to end the double-track system within one year but insisted that the government is taking steps to address the problem.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Gbande said the government inherited significant financial challenges and was working to close what he described as loopholes in public financial management.
“It is true that we promised to end the double-track system within one year, and we are yet to deliver. But did you know that Ken Ofori-Atta had stolen all the money before the NPP exited power? We are doing our best to get things done,” he said.
Mr Gbande said the government was pursuing alternative measures to ensure that the eventual end of the double-track system would be sustainable, including the construction of additional schools to increase accommodation capacity.
He said the government’s approach required difficult decisions and defended Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson’s management of the President’s economic agenda.
“Dr Ato Forson has held the President’s vision, and that is why I love what he is doing. We are on course in terms of the double-track system,” he said.
According to Mr Gbande, the government is also tightening controls on public funds to prevent the mismanagement it alleges characterised the previous administration.
“Gone are the days when people used to mismanage state funds. This government is sealing all the loopholes,” he said.
He cited the Accra-Kumasi Expressway as an example of what he described as the government’s ability to finance major infrastructure projects without resorting to additional borrowing.
“We have now, for the first time in a long time, GH¢2 billion already to start the construction of the Accra-Kumasi Expressway without a loan. All projects currently going on are from internally generated funds,” he claimed.
Mr Gbande said the government was addressing what he described as several challenges inherited from the previous administration and remained confident in its ability to deliver its development agenda.
He said the government’s efforts to tackle longstanding problems would ultimately demonstrate its commitment to improving governance and national development.
“In the worst state of the NDC, we will still do better than the NPP,” he declared.
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