Former President John Mahama has said Ghana is currently experiencing the harshest moment under the Fourth Republic. Narrating the alleged brutalities that characterized the 2020 elections, Mr. Mahama stated that events in the last elections were the first to have occurred under the current dispensation. “Two years ago, for the first time in the history of our country, a President and Government unleashed armed men who brutally killed eight (8) innocent Ghanaians including a child during voting and results collation.“In the last six years, Ghanaians have witnessed a reckless government that has taken a wrecking ball to our economy, leaving it in a very sorry state, rivaling some of the worst economies in the world,” the former President stated in a Facebook post-Thursday December 8, 2022.He continued: “Our dear beloved nation, Ghana, is in a worst state today than at any time in the history of the 4th Republic — high levels of corruption, hardships due to bad economic and financial policies, hungry and angry people, loss of investments, no credible reforms etc.” Mr. Mahama however has motivated Ghanaians not to throw their hands in despair adding that “we are a strong people. We are creative and innovative. The Ghanaian does not give up and we won’t give up. “On behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), myself as the 2020 Presidential Candidate, I want to thank all Ghanaians who two years ago sacrificed your time and went to the polls to vote for NDC’s Parliamentary candidates and me.”The former President also commend all Ghanaians who participated in the election exercise for their help in consolidating our democracy. “I, once again, extend our sympathies to the families of all who lost their lives and to the victims of all forms of violence perpetrated by the insensitive Nana Akufo-Addo administration. “The NDC has pledged that it will investigate these state-sponsored atrocities and apply sanctions to those found culpable. We will provide appropriate compensation for those who have lost lives and limbs.” —Starrfm—

A collaborative partnership of mutual respect among the government, civil society organisations, labour unions, the private sector and key stakeholders can help Ghana out of her current economic challenges, former President John Mahama has said. At an engagement with CSOs in Accra on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, Mr Mahama said: “I daresay that together, we are in a better place to help our country out of its current socio-economic predicament”. “What is required is a partnership, collaboration, mutual respect and an understanding that governance and efforts at meeting the needs of the ordinary Ghanaian are a shared responsibility between particularly, government, civil society, the private sector, labour and other key stakeholders”, he noted. Mr Mahama lauded CSOs for transitioning from a fighting posture to now being conversational.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=3178325335&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1669201828&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2FTogether-we-can-come-out-of-current-socio-economic-predicament-Mahama-to-CSOs-37329&wgl=1&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTEuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQkU2aiIsIjEwNS4wLjUxOTUuMTM2IixbXSx0cnVlLG51bGwsIiIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjEwNS4wLjUxOTUuMTM2Il0sWyJOb3QpQTtCcmFuZCIsIjguMC4wLjAiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiMTA1LjAuNTE5NS4xMzYiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1669201826073&bpp=9&bdt=1692&idt=2225&shv=r20221110&mjsv=m202211150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D783012ba28970225-22c6d30de8d50033%3AT%3D1664308948%3ART%3D1664308948%3AS%3DALNI_MY9MgCyTHbcpNXKWNapqQ_5SI5U4Q&gpic=UID%3D00000aed89dc1df6%3AT%3D1664308948%3ART%3D1669194173%3AS%3DALNI_MaPA-GQfzF7WolX-6u_IbfUT_iQzA&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=2626487023407&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1612813038.1664308948&ga_sid=1669201827&ga_hid=1420257593&ga_fc=1&u_tz=0&u_his=27&u_h=640&u_w=320&u_ah=640&u_aw=320&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.5&dmc=2&adx=15&ady=1555&biw=320&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759842%2C42531706%2C44778780%2C31070762%2C31070969&oid=2&pvsid=2525540079635782&tmod=1014817994&uas=3&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C320%2C0%2C320%2C512%2C515%2C825&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=1024&bc=31&ifi=3&uci=a!3&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=cg7q815Ceg&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=2292 “There is, currently, a shift away from aggressive confrontations to constructive, civil conversations”, Mr Mahama observed, pointing out: “Normally, the engagements were confrontational with the government but now, it is more of a civil conversation, and they have also enhanced their relevance with new capacities in terms of research and data analysis, thereby serving as storehouses for alternative policy ideas”. A few days ahead of his meeting with the CSOs, Mr Mahama had urged Ghanaians to pray for his return to save the country from the current hardships. He said the hard economic times are now being reflected by the dwindling offerings in the church, and urged Christians to pray for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and him to “rescue” Ghana from the current “suffering”. At the 175th-anniversary thanksgiving service of the E.P Church in Ho, Volta Region, Mr Mahama urged Christians to be generous with the little they have since times are hard.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=3555028469&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1669201828&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2FTogether-we-can-come-out-of-current-socio-economic-predicament-Mahama-to-CSOs-37329&wgl=1&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTEuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQkU2aiIsIjEwNS4wLjUxOTUuMTM2IixbXSx0cnVlLG51bGwsIiIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjEwNS4wLjUxOTUuMTM2Il0sWyJOb3QpQTtCcmFuZCIsIjguMC4wLjAiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiMTA1LjAuNTE5NS4xMzYiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1669201826082&bpp=8&bdt=1702&idt=2493&shv=r20221110&mjsv=m202211150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D783012ba28970225-22c6d30de8d50033%3AT%3D1664308948%3ART%3D1664308948%3AS%3DALNI_MY9MgCyTHbcpNXKWNapqQ_5SI5U4Q&gpic=UID%3D00000aed89dc1df6%3AT%3D1664308948%3ART%3D1669194173%3AS%3DALNI_MaPA-GQfzF7WolX-6u_IbfUT_iQzA&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=2626487023407&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1612813038.1664308948&ga_sid=1669201827&ga_hid=1420257593&ga_fc=1&u_tz=0&u_his=27&u_h=640&u_w=320&u_ah=640&u_aw=320&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.5&dmc=2&adx=15&ady=2742&biw=320&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759842%2C42531706%2C44778780%2C31070762%2C31070969&oid=2&pvsid=2525540079635782&tmod=1014817994&uas=3&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C320%2C0%2C320%2C512%2C515%2C825&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=1024&bc=31&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=3&fsb=1&xpc=rd2rssuueY&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=2652 “We must always spread Christian love, especially in this time, when money doesn’t like noise”, he told the church, stressing: “Especially, at this time when we all agree that times are hard”. “This is the time we must show our Christian charity by loving our neighbours as ourselves”, Mr Mahama urged. “And, so, whatever little you have to share, you should share with your neighbour”, he told Christians. Using an appeal for funds event at the church as the litmus test of the economic hardships, Mr Mahama pointed out: “I mean, we could tell the hardship in the system from the appeal for funds”.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-4549410436183225&output=html&h=250&slotname=4705176708&adk=1921530005&adf=3839672949&pi=t.ma~as.4705176708&w=300&lmt=1669201830&format=300×250&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2FTogether-we-can-come-out-of-current-socio-economic-predicament-Mahama-to-CSOs-37329&wgl=1&adsid=ChEIgKb3mwYQp7W6jMqFgImvARI5ALtvipII_0XMf1f5-U5rReCs_KBvRuZphcOI9L9p13qIWyhudyP46IiJ-8z0gcNoyCY1Ahp8EopD&uach=WyJBbmRyb2lkIiwiMTEuMC4wIiwiIiwiVEVDTk8gQkU2aiIsIjEwNS4wLjUxOTUuMTM2IixbXSx0cnVlLG51bGwsIiIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjEwNS4wLjUxOTUuMTM2Il0sWyJOb3QpQTtCcmFuZCIsIjguMC4wLjAiXSxbIkNocm9taXVtIiwiMTA1LjAuNTE5NS4xMzYiXV0sZmFsc2Vd&dt=1669201826090&bpp=8&bdt=1709&idt=3273&shv=r20221110&mjsv=m202211150101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D783012ba28970225-22c6d30de8d50033%3AT%3D1664308948%3ART%3D1664308948%3AS%3DALNI_MY9MgCyTHbcpNXKWNapqQ_5SI5U4Q&gpic=UID%3D00000aed89dc1df6%3AT%3D1664308948%3ART%3D1669194173%3AS%3DALNI_MaPA-GQfzF7WolX-6u_IbfUT_iQzA&prev_fmts=0x0%2C300x250%2C300x250%2C300x250%2C300x250&nras=1&correlator=2626487023407&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1612813038.1664308948&ga_sid=1669201827&ga_hid=1420257593&ga_fc=1&u_tz=0&u_his=27&u_h=640&u_w=320&u_ah=640&u_aw=320&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.5&dmc=2&adx=15&ady=3375&biw=320&bih=512&scr_x=0&scr_y=2176&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759842%2C42531706%2C44778780%2C31070762%2C31070969&oid=2&pvsid=2525540079635782&tmod=1014817994&uas=3&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fmobile.classfmonline.com%2F&eae=0&fc=1920&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C320%2C0%2C320%2C512%2C515%2C825&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7CeEbr%7C&abl=CS&pfx=0&fu=1024&bc=31&jar=2022-11-23-11&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=5&fsb=1&xpc=82HNlEhLBM&p=https%3A//mobile.classfmonline.com&dtd=4108 “When it was GH¢2,000, madam chair and a few people came and donated. Then it came down to ¢1,000, then to ¢500, then to ¢200 and ¢100”. “And when it got to the silver collection, ¢1, ¢2, the place was full, it shows that the pocket was not too good”, he observed. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FJDMahama%2Fposts%2F683109999837402&show_text=true&width=500 He then told the church, which had on its schedule, a prayer session for Christians in Pakistan: “After we pray for Pakistan, Moderator should also say a special prayer for me and for the NDC so that, in some year that is just coming, luck will smile on us, God will smile on us and give us the power to come and rescue this country from the suffering we are going through”. Ghana is currently experiencing an economic crisis which President Nana Akufo-Addo has acknowledged, forcing him to address the nation on Sunday, 30 October 2022 about measures being put in place by his administration to fix the problem. Read the president’s full speech below: ADDRESS TO THE NATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, ON THE ECONOMY, ON SUNDAY, 30TH OCTOBER 2022. Fellow Ghanaians, good evening. Back in 2020, at the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, I started a regular conversation with you that came to be popularly known as Fellow Ghanaians. It was a time of great fear of the unknown, and the entire world felt at risk. I came into your homes regularly to tell you what the experts were discovering about the virus, and what we should do. Now that we have seen the worst of the COVID-19, I can tell you that there were moments during those times when I was distraught, there were moments when I was in despair about the apparent inadequacy of our health facilities, and there were moments when I wondered if the dire predictions made about dead bodies on our streets would truly happen. But I knew that I owed it to all of us that, as your president, I had to hold my nerve, show leadership and take us out of the crisis. With your help and support, and the great mercies of the Almighty, we can say that we emerged from the ravages of the pandemic with one of the lowest mortality rates globally. In fact, Ghana’s handling of the pandemic won universal acclaim. We could all see in real time the devastation that was being wreaked on economies during the pandemic, but I doubt that anyone imagined the extent of the damage. Our economy, here in Ghana, like many, many others around the globe, was thrown into turmoil. When I said, at the height of the COVID pandemic, that we knew what to do to bring the economy back to life, but not how to bring people back to life, it was not said in jest. We had done it before, and we were on course to doing it again. Ghana’s economy grew by a remarkable 5.4% in 2021, signifying a strong recovery from the 0.5% growth recorded the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in the last quarter of 2021, our economy grew at seven percent (7%), only for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the first quarter of this year to aggravate the effects of COVID-19, and plunge the global economy into even greater turmoil from which it has not yet recovered. The whole world has been taken aback by the speed with which inflation has eaten away people’s incomes. Economies, big and small, have experienced, over this year alone, the highest rise in cost of living over a generation; the highest rise in government borrowing in over fifty