New Patriotic Party (NPP) Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, has taken a swipe at former President John Dramani Mahama’s economic record, arguing that the numbers touted under his administration do not reflect the lived realities of ordinary Ghanaians.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Monday, Ahiagbah dismissed recent claims by Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the economy had performed better under their leadership. He accused the opposition of relying on what he called “paper progress” data that looks good in reports but fails to translate into tangible improvement in citizens’ quality of life.

“You can’t eat GDP figures. You can’t pay school fees or rent with projected growth rates,” Ahiagbah said. “Mahama’s economy looked good in PowerPoint presentations, but not in the pockets of market women, teachers, or drivers.”

The remarks come amid an intensifying political debate over Ghana’s economic trajectory ahead of the 2026 general elections. Mahama, who is seeking a return to the presidency, has consistently defended his administration’s handling of the economy, pointing to improved infrastructure, investor confidence, and relative currency stability during his tenure.

However, Ahiagbah argued that real indicators including unemployment, inflation, and living costs told a different story. He urged voters to scrutinise not just economic projections, but whether they lead to better livelihoods.

Political analysts say Ahiagbah’s comments are part of a broader strategy by the NPP to undercut the NDC’s economic narrative, especially in light of recent IMF assessments that have been cautiously optimistic about Ghana’s recovery post-COVID.

“This isn’t just a data war; it’s a battle over perception and trust,” noted Dr. Selorm Gbeho, a political economist at the University of Ghana. “Both parties are trying to define what success means and for the average Ghanaian, that often comes down to whether daily life is getting easier.”

With cost-of-living concerns still dominating public discourse, the economy is expected to be a central theme as campaigning intensifies.