Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, Steve Hanke, has raised concerns over Ghana's economic management under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
His remarks come in the midst of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests organized by Democracy Hub and some concerned citizens, which have erupted in response to rising living cost.
In an assessment of President Akufo-Addo's leadership, Professor Hanke described the situation as a demonstration of " incompetence."
Hanke's statement also suggested that President Akufo-Addo is facing a challenging situation with limited options.
He remarked that the president is "rightfully caught between a hammer and a hard place," implying that the economic hardships experienced by Ghanaians have placed him in a precarious position.
“Ghana’s Pres. Akufo-Addo’s INCOMPETENCE has Ghanaians up in arms, holding #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests over the staggering increases in the cost of living. Pres. Akufo-Addo’s rightfully caught between a HAMMER and a HARD PLACE. Looks like the hammers about ready to fall,” he said in a Twitter post on September 24, 2023.
On the last day of the three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests, protesters attempted to force their way through a police barricade deep into the night and march to the presidency.
This is despite the illegal arrests and police highhandedness that marred Day 1 when police arrested 49 protesters, who were detained for hours on allegations of unlawful assembly.
All of them were later released on bail.
Day 2 and 3 passed without any major incident as police barricaded the main road leading to the presidency, Jubilee House, even before the protesters began their march towards the place.
While Day 2 saw the blocking of one part of the 37-Accra Road, the final day saw the blocking of both sides which meant vehicular traffic was greatly constrained for the better part of the day.
AM/SARA
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Professor Steve Hanke and Akufo-Addo