Economy inherited from NPP worse than expected – Ato Forson

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has described the economic situation inherited from the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government as far worse than initially believed, citing severe mismanagement and a derailed IMF programme.

His comments come amid widespread consensus that economic hardship under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration played a key role in the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.

Despite major public investments, citizens and experts alike pointed to declining living standards, rising debt, and fiscal instability as defining features of the former government’s final years.

Speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Friday, July 25, just a day after presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament, Dr. Forson disclosed that although he had anticipated some challenges, the full extent of the economic crisis was shocking.

“Clearly, I had some understanding of what the situation was,” he said, “but I was amazed to see the details. Things were worse than we thought. First of all, I had always had the impression that the IMF programme, for example, was actually on track—only for us to go to the Ministry and realise that the programme was not on track.”

Dr. Forson’s remarks add further weight to criticisms of the NPP’s economic stewardship, as the current administration seeks to stabilise the country’s finances and rebuild public trust.