Kufuor criticises Akufo-Addo’s key policies, says DDEP, Cathedral and PDS contributed to NPP’s 2024 defeat

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has openly criticised several major policy decisions undertaken by the Akufo-Addo administration, arguing that they significantly contributed to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections.

Speaking in an interview on The Delay Show, hosted by Deloris Frimpong Manso, Mr Kufuor said he did not understand the rationale behind the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), the National Cathedral project and the Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal.

He revealed that he was not consulted on any of these initiatives.

According to him, the NPP’s rise to power in 2016 was built squarely on the foundations laid during his presidency.

“Before the 2016 election in which Akufo-Addo was elected, the campaign was built on my achievements,” he said. “Those achievements played a key role in his victory. The government started on a good note, but things changed after he assumed power.”

He explained that the shift in policy direction under the Akufo-Addo administration left him concerned, particularly decisions taken after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After the COVID-19 pandemic, I could not understand some of the decisions taken, including the bond market issues, PDS and the National Cathedral project, which has still not been completed,” he said.

The former President was particularly critical of the National Cathedral project, lamenting the demolition of key state assets—including residential apartments for judges and other officials, to pave the way for construction.

“I was not consulted, as I did not attend cabinet meetings. I only saw the construction. Apartments that housed judges and others were demolished for the National Cathedral, yet it remains unfinished,” he noted.

Reflecting on the NPP’s electoral trajectory, Mr Kufuor highlighted the stark contrast between the party’s landslide victory in 2016, the closely fought 2020 polls that produced a hung Parliament, and the eventual loss in 2024.

“We won the 2016 elections by a landslide. The 2020 elections were tense and produced a hung Parliament, and the 2024 elections were something else entirely,” he said. “This shows that the Ghanaian electorate should never be taken for granted. It is a lesson for politicians to be mindful of their actions.”

Source:Fiilafmonline/3News