Akufo-Addo listening to Mahama’s ideas in Covid-19 fight – Alex Mould

The government’s fight against the deadly coronavirus has been helped by ideas suggested by the 2020 NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, a former government official, Alex Mould, has said.

Mr Mahama had called for an insurance package for health workers who may become severely infected in the line of duty and also asked government to consider

In an April 6 address, John Mahama called for free electricity and water bills plus education in the cost of data as teaching and learning migrated online.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, on April 12, would announce three-month freeze on the payment of water bills and 50% slash in electricity tariff for some customers.

The government also announced an insurance package for frontline health workers in the fight against the pandemic that has infected 5,918 people with 1,754 recovering from the disease. Some 31 have died.

Mr. Mould, who spoke on JoyNews PM Express Monday, said the Akufo-Addo government had done some of the ‘good things’ in the fight against coronavirus.

But the former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), was quick to add, “the problem is that they did them late.”

He said he had called on government to close the country’s borders much earlier than it was done and expressed disappointment that the government had not been quick enough in supporting small and medium-scale enterprises.

He said the government was one or two weeks late in doing the right things.

The government is taking steps to disburse a 600million cedis bail-out for SMEs. It is to be administered by the National Board for Small-Scale Industries.

But Mr. Mould, in an article, expressed fears it could become a slush fund as the government braced for the 2020 general elections.

He said he preferred the monies went to financial institutions, such as the banks, as they were more capable of making prudent decisions on who gets supports.

Mr Alex Mould had been talked about as a possible running mate to John Mahama and the former GNPC boss has indicated he won’t say no if offered the role.

“I am prepared for any role the NDC gives me, including running mate,” he said.

Touting his CV, Mr. Mould said he was a social democrat and played fundraising roles for the National Democratic Congress’ 2016 campaign.

He said he also helped with operations and strategy.

Alex Mould also pointed to his multinational experience in the banking sector where he held roles at Standard Chartered Bank (New York and Ghana) and Union Bank of Switzerland (New York). He was also the former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority which is responsible for regulating the downstream sector.

With Ghana’s Vice-President encumbered with chairing the economic management team, the former GNPC touted his credentials, saying  “I understand how the economy works,” he said.

The running mate position has been redefined by Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, political analysts have noted. In the run-up to the 2016 general elections, he was hailed as Ghana’s economic czar as his economy lecturers shaped political debates.

The economy background of Dr. Bawumia, who was a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, became a weapon that proved potent in attacking the John Mahama administration between 2012 and 2016.

As former President Mahama mulls over his choice of running mate, analysts believe whoever is chosen should be able to match Dr Bawumia in the area of the economy.

Mr Mould noted that “my pedigree shows that I have managed profitable organisations.”

The former government appointee said while he did not know whether he was being considered for the running mate role,  he would “of course” like to be considered.

He said a running mate must be one trusted by the NDC flagbearer.  “I think he trusts me… you can tell if someone trusts you,” he said.