Ghanaian musician and outspoken critic, Criss Waddle, has once again taken to social media to criticize the economic policies of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s leadership.

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In a recent post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on May 9, 2025, the musician humorously yet pointedly claimed that the NPP would have exploited global events to impose bizarre new taxes on Ghanaians, had they remained in power.

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Waddle, known for his candid commentary on Ghanaian politics, made reference to the ongoing US-China trade war and the selection of the new Pope, both of which he believes would have provided the NPP with the perfect opportunity to introduce what he described as “Pope levy” and “Trump levy.”

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In his post, the Bie Gya hitmaker drew comparisons to the NPP’s introduction of the controversial ‘COVID levy’ during the pandemic, mocking the party for capitalizing on national crises to impose additional financial burdens on citizens. Waddle expressed disbelief at how the NPP might have responded to global events.

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"Like by now, there will be ‘Fellow Ghanaians’ and the whole country will start to panic due to the Pope’s death. We Ghanaians living somewhere would have to begin paying the Pope levy, Trump levy, and China levy of 8.90,000%," Waddle wrote sarcastically. The musician went on to lament the economic struggles faced by Ghanaians during the previous administration, saying, “Herh! We’ve suffered before.”

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The controversial post has sparked a mix of reactions on social media, with some supporters agreeing with Waddle’s criticism of the NPP and its handling of the economy. Many shared similar frustrations regarding the rising cost of living and the introduction of various taxes during Akufo-Addo's tenure, while others questioned Waddle's hyperbole, asking whether his comments were purely for comedic effect or if there was a deeper message behind the mockery.

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The post’s reference to the “COVID levy,” which was introduced by the NPP during the pandemic to mitigate economic fallout, resonated with many Ghanaians who felt the levy was an unnecessary burden during a challenging time. Waddle’s mention of global events like the Pope’s election and the US-China trade tensions further fueled his point that the NPP might have used such events to justify more taxing measures, sparking widespread debate over the fairness and sustainability of government-imposed levies.

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Waddle’s commentary comes at a time when the Ghanaian public is deeply engaged in discussions about the country's economic recovery and the transparency of governance. The artist’s remarks have added to the growing discourse about the need for better fiscal management and more thoughtful policies to alleviate the financial pressures faced by Ghanaians.

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As the debate continues to unfold online, Criss Waddle remains unapologetic in his criticism, standing firm in his stance that the NPP’s policies, particularly under Akufo-Addo, have caused unnecessary hardship for the average Ghanaian citizen.

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Whether his comments will lead to more serious discussions on fiscal policies or remain as a humorous jab at the past government’s economic decisions, only time will tell.

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