In one of his most biting and sarcastic monologues yet, journalist and broadcaster Johnnie Hughes took a not-so-subtle swipe at the New Patriotic Party (NPP), mocking what he called their misplaced braggadocio about economic management — only to leave the cedi battered and bruised against the dollar by the time they exited office.
Speaking on his show on 3FM monitored by MyNewsGh, Hughes drew a sharp contrast between the NPP’s self-proclaimed “solid economic management team” and the actual economic outcomes under their watch.
“You didn’t have to brag that you have the men. You didn’t have to brag that you have a solid economic management team,” he began, his voice laced with sarcasm. “And yet within five months, you were able to bring the dollar down from 17 cedis to 10. You didn’t need gold for oil, plenty speeches, or rich-rich spokespersons at every ministry!”
With biting irony, Hughes highlighted how, in just a few months, the economy began to show signs of recovery without the grand gestures and bloated PR machinery that characterized the previous administration.
He praised the recent 15% reduction in transport fares — which took effect last Saturday — as a practical achievement welcomed by Ghanaians, but questioned why “diversionary taxes” and needless distractions were being allowed to derail what seemed to be progress.
“You are not serious oh. Clearly, you are not serious!” he exclaimed.
Citing a Facebook post by a user named Salem Sellum, Hughes used practical examples to expose the cedi’s massive depreciation under the previous NPP-led government.
In August 2024, the user reportedly spent over GH¢13,600 to import machine parts worth $814. Today, the same amount of dollars costs just GH¢8,791 — a significant improvement.
“That be how the neck pressing for go be? About putting people behind people and chasing them and making them say make some noise? Bro, it is not necessary,” Hughes said, clearly ridiculing past governance tactics that prioritized PR stunts over tangible results.
He urged the current administration to stay focused and not fall into the trap of over-politicization, stressing that even though it’s been less than six months in office, there’s a general sense of optimism in the air — one he believes could be squandered by allowing “frivolous conversations” to dominate the narrative.
“You are on a certain path to achieve greatness. Why do you allow the frivolous… the frivolous conversations going on… why?” he quizzed.
Johnnie also acknowledged that not everyone would be pleased with the recent economic strides. Some Ghanaians abroad (popularly called Bogas), he noted, might feel shortchanged because their remittances are no longer as ‘heavy’ due to the strengthening of the cedi.
“If a Boga sent $100 in the past, it was big money. Now, it’s almost small money. So Boga will not be happy with you,” he joked, adding that others simply “won’t like you whether you like it or not.”
His monologue, though laced with humour and sarcasm, carried a powerful political message: good governance doesn’t need to shout. And when it does, it often exposes its own failures.
