By Daniel Bampoe
The Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Samuel Awuku, has issued a critical assessment of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, awarding a performance score of 48% based on a review of the President’s first 120 days in office.
Sammy Awuku’s evaluation comes amid growing national discourse over the new government’s pace and priorities following the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s return to power in the 2024 general elections.
Speaking to journalists, the former Director General of the National Lottery Authority, NLA, said his assessment was based on an analysis of 25 key promises made by President Mahama in what he described as a “social contract” with the people of Ghana.
“Honestly speaking, the document we have here was technically about 25 promises,” Awuku stated.
“They fulfilled 11, partially fulfilled 2, and failed to fulfill 12. So if I’m able to do that analysis, I think they score about 48%.”
Sammy Awuku’s remarks come at a time when the government is defending its early performance, highlighting reforms in taxation and public sector reorganization.
However, the MP insists the administration’s mixed performance is undermined by pressing economic burdens being transferred to ordinary citizens.
A central point of his critique was recent hikes in utility tariffs, including a 14% increase in electricity prices and a 4% rise in water rates.
While acknowledging that the government has scrapped some unpopular taxes — such as certain levies on electronic transactions and select duties — Sammi Awuku argued that these moves are being offset by cost increases in essential services.
“Impose 14% tariff increase when it comes to electricity, they are also asking us to pay additional 4% on water,” he said.
“If I do not stake lotto, then I’m definitely not going to be affected by the 10% betting tax. Again, if I do not engage in electronic transactions, there’s no way I’m going to suffer from this 1% E-Levy.”
The MP contended that everyday necessities such as power and water should not be used to balance government revenue shortfalls, saying, “That is a clear case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
He also raised concerns over the government’s ambiguous communication around the COVID-19 levy, a controversial tax introduced during the pandemic under the previous administration.
Despite talk of a broader tax reform strategy, Awuku noted a lack of transparency and coherence in how the current administration is handling the legacy of pandemic-related taxation.
“On the issue of the COVID-19 levy, I really do not understand what the government meant by saying there’s a whole tax reform they are looking at,” he stated.
“If you are going to take a holistic view of your taxes and how to reform the tax sector, it’s a different matter.”
Sammi Awuku’s analysis adds to the growing scrutiny of the Mahama administration’s early months in office. As public expectations remain high, especially after a campaign that promised economic reset and transparency, opposition voices are positioning themselves to demand accountability from day one.
