Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has expressed strong backing for Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s sharp criticism of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s economic management, describing it as fiscally reckless and unsustainable.
Following his presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, Dr. Forson condemned the previous administration’s excessive spending, famously comparing their fiscal approach to “living a champagne lifestyle on an ‘akpeteshie’ budget,” highlighting the disconnect between government expenditure and revenue during their tenure.
Speaking on Citi FM’s The Big Issue on Saturday, Franklin Cudjoe echoed these sentiments, saying:
“Ato Forson’s description of the NPP’s spending as living a champagne lifestyle on an ‘akpeteshie’ budget perfectly captures the reality we faced over the past eight years.”
Cudjoe also praised the tone and content of the mid-year budget, emphasizing that it signals a clear move toward fiscal discipline—a stance he believes should be recognized as a coherent policy.
“I wasn’t surprised but was pleased because the presentation underscored one key word: discipline. Many don’t realize that discipline can actually be a policy,” he remarked.
“If reckless spending is one policy, then discipline and spending within means is also a policy.”
Cudjoe’s endorsement strengthens the ongoing national discussion about Ghana’s economic path, as the current government champions fiscal responsibility and accountability as essential to recovery.
