Jacob Anankware accuses Mahamudu Bawumia of hypocrisy over economic record

Jacob Paarechuga Anankware, the Deputy CEO of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has criticized NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his recent assessments of the Ghanaian economy. Anankware labeled the former Vice President as hypocritical for questioning the current cost of living, pointing out that Bawumia served as the head of the Economic Management Team from 2017 to 2025 and should take responsibility for the economic conditions during that period.

The criticism follows comments made by Dr. Bawumia during the NPP’s National Thanksgiving Service, where he suggested there is a significant disparity between positive macroeconomic indicators and the financial struggles faced by ordinary citizens. Anankware described Bawumia as a "prophet of pocket economy" while in opposition but a "priest of paper economy" while in power. He noted that Bawumia frequently defended statistical indicators during his tenure, even as the country faced record-high inflation of 54.1% in 2022.

Anankware contrasted the current economic situation under President John Mahama’s administration with the previous NPP government's record. He highlighted that current inflation stood at 5.2% as of September 2026, a slight increase from 5.0% in August but a marked improvement from previous years. The EPA official asserted that the current trend signifies a slower pace of price increases, which has started to benefit consumers, contrary to the criticisms leveled by the opposition flagbearer.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Anankware challenged the former Vice President to outline specific plans for reducing utility bills and improving the economy without reverting to the high inflation seen in the past. He questioned Bawumia’s moral authority to critique the current cost of living, arguing that many of today's challenges are rooted in the policies and priorities of the previous NPP administration. Anankware urged a focus on sustaining the current progress rather than returning to past economic management styles.