CRITICS ACCUSE NPP OF MISUSING COVID-19 FUNDS AS WORLD BANK BLAMES GHANA’S CRISIS ON HOMEGROWN ISSUES

Some critics have accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of mismanaging Covid-19 funds, alleging that large sums were diverted for personal and partisan gains rather than for the benefit of Ghanaians.

Political commentators, including outspoken media personalities, claim that much of the emergency funding mobilized during the pandemic was kept within government circles and shared among party faithfuls. They argue that this alleged misuse worsened Ghana’s fiscal position and contributed to the country’s current economic hardships.

These accusations appear to echo findings from international observers. The World Bank, in a 2025 report, stressed that Ghana’s economic challenges were largely homegrown, rooted in weak domestic revenue mobilization, rising debt, and fiscal mismanagement. While acknowledging external shocks such as Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, the Bank emphasized that internal policy choices played a bigger role in Ghana’s economic decline.

Supporting this narrative, the Auditor-General’s 2022 Special Report on Covid-19 expenditure uncovered procurement breaches, questionable payments, and poor accountability in the government’s handling of pandemic funds. The report cited sole-sourced contracts, inflated costs, and irregular disbursements. However, it did not directly name President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Bawumia, or any party officials as personally benefiting from the funds.

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has repeatedly cited the Auditor-General’s findings to accuse the government of corruption and financial recklessness. Meanwhile, government communicators have denied wrongdoing, insisting that all expenditures were aimed at safeguarding lives and livelihoods during the pandemic.

As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: Ghana’s economic crisis has deep roots in issues of governance, accountability, and resource management. The clash between allegations of political misuse and the World Bank’s assertion of “homegrown” mismanagement underscores the need for transparency in public financial management.