‘My Decisions Made Ghana Fastest Growing Economy’ – Mahama

President John Mahama has said some of the hard decisions he took while President, made Ghana one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

He said, but for those decisions, Ghana would have faced dire consequences.

John Mahama said this when he spoke as a Special Guest of the New York Ministers Conference of the Assemblies of God Church in the US.

“It’s a difficult job being a leader. As President, I was faced with many difficult decision points, but if those decisions were not taken at the time, the results would have been dire for the nation. Ghana being the fastest growing economy was a result of some of these decisions,” Mahama said.

In a Facebook post on his message to the gathering, the former president said, “as a leader, you must focus on how to be a servant-leader. It is only then that when you’re faced with difficult decisions as a leader, you will err on the side of what will propel your nation or your church or your institution forward.”

Ghana was projected in March 2018 to be the fastest growing economy in the world, overtaking India and Ethiopia which over the last decade has been one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

In January, Ghana’s benchmark stock index achieved the world’s highest rate of growth, 19 percent, according to Bloomberg.

While President Akufo-Addo has sought to take credit for the achievement, his critics have attributed the gains to measures put in place by former president John Mahama before leaving office.

Nana Akufo-Addo in his 61^st independence day address said, “Ghana’s economy has grown from 3.6 percent in 2016, the lowest in 22 years, to 7.9 percent in 2017, and this year it’s expected to grow at 8.3 percent, which would make it the fastest growing economy in the world…We will continue to manage the economy in a disciplined and sound framework so that we maintain fiscal and debt sustainability. This, in the end, is fundamental to moving Beyond Aid.”

But John Mahama has suggested that credit is given to him for the achievement.

He noted at the event in the US that there are many positive developments on the African continent which local media must highlight to get them global attention.

“African economies are growing, IT innovation by Young Africans is amazing and I can say that indeed Africa is rising. The world media may not focus on that, but we as Africans must tell our story as we go around the globe.”

‘Church support.’ 

John Mahama indicated that the Assemblies of God church had been very supportive of him especially when he lost the 2016 polls to President AKufo-Addo.

“I’ve enjoyed strength from the church, throughout my political life, and I thank Rev. Ernest Agyei who brought me to Christ. The Church has been supportive all through, especially after my electoral loss in 2016,” Mahama said.  

‘Mahama awarded’

John Mahama was awarded the “Superintendent’s Award for Outstanding Christian Leadership” by the New York Ministers Network of the Assemblies of God Church at the event.

IMF sees Ethiopia beating Ghana as fastest-growing Africa economy

Meanwhile, in April 2018, it emerged that Ghana is losing its mantle as the African economy likely to grow the quickest this year to Ethiopia, which has held the position for most of the past decade, according to data from the International Monetary Fund, IMF.

West Africa’s second-biggest economy should expand 6.3 percent this year; the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook released Tuesday. West Africa’s second-biggest economy should expand 6.3 percent this year; the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook released Tuesday.

That’s lower than the 8.9 percent forecast in October and is also less than the raised 7.4 percent estimate for Ivory Coast and the prediction for Ethiopia, which was held at 8.5 percent.

Source: Citinewsroom