Features
Economic Performance: Some Indicators
• Much work has to be done in all sectors of the economy to establish a
strong base for rapid growth
The economic performance of every country, whether sound or unsound, depends on a number of factors which may indicate whether the economy concerned is resilient or fragile.
An economy may be very strong or resilient and will be able to withstand unfavourable pressures from external sources. In the same way, a very weak economy may not be able to withstand pressures from unfavourable external conditions.
Similarly, an economy with an average performance may be able to withstand some shocks coming from both internal and external sources but at the same time, able to lay a strong foundation that can stimulate growth in the economy in the coming years. Such an economy may not be described as very resilient but will be seen as strong enough to generate adequate growth and on the average show that the economy is not weak after all.
Various descriptions have been given to the economy of Ghana. While some so called economists have described Ghana’s economy as weak, others, on the contrary, see it as strong or above average and can perform better going forward into the future.
Is the economy of Ghana weak or resilient, taking everything into consideration? When we speak of taking everything into consideration, we are referring to its industrial base, the agricultural sector, transportation, education system and the nature of other sectors that can influence economic performance.
Any objective mind that looks at the economy of Ghana will agree that for now, the economy is not strong enough to withstand external pressures such as the effect of the Russia-Ukraine war as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In spite of this the economy of Ghana cannot be described as weak.
This is because a good foundation has been laid for the economy despite the numerous challenges the country faces. It is these challenges that have led to inflation and the depreciation of the Cedi a few months back.
If for nothing at all, the implementation of 1 District 1 Factory in line with government’s industrialisation agenda is meant to lay some strong foundation for the country. The problem is that the effect of this programme cannot be felt immediately but, rather, in the future. If people look at the future and conclude that conditions are not good, they will be making a miserable mistake. Thus, in this sense, a strong foundation has been laid for the country and this will bring in the needed positive result in the near future.
Another strong foundation that has been laid for the country by the Akufo-Addo led government can be found in the health sector. We believe that Ghanaians have not forgotten about the numerous drones that have been brought into the country to help in the distribution of medicines to remote places in the country.
Until the drones were brought, areas that were far away suffered from numerous deaths due to lack of essential drugs to fight against snake bites and also absence of blood needed by certain patients at very critical points in their lives. The drones have been brought in for a good purpose and they are playing a positive role in the health sector.
As if this is not enough, efforts are also being made to ensure that there are enough hospitals in all parts of the country, whether urban or rural and whether at the regional level or at the district level. Again, 307 ambulances have been brought in to strengthen the health sector and save precious lives that could easily have been lost if such ambulances were not available.
As we speak today, every constituency in this country has at least one ambulance while at certain regional places, the ambulances available are not less than three or four. This shows that under such conditions, the health sector has been made stronger than before and going into the future, things will be very comfortable compared with previous times.
One other factor that cannot be overlooked is the introduction of Free Senior High School as well as Free Technical Vocational Education and Training for students in our second cycle institutions. Students are not just going in for the general type of education as was seen previously but also technical and vocational training which will help to build a strong technical labour force to meet the needs of the country.
When the labour force is made varied in this way, it means that the technical and vocational needs or otherwise can be met at any point in time. This is what will lead to strong growth in the coming years.
A strong foundation has also been laid for the agricultural sector. The implementation of programmes such as Planting for Food and Jobs and also for export has made things favourable to the country as far as food security is concerned.
Under the COVID pandemic, people in this country were easily fed because food was available compared with other countries that had to beg other nations to get food to meet the needs of their people. This is another indication showing that as a country, Ghana has done well in this direction.
To be able to facilitate rapid economic growth, there is the need to build a sound transportation system to help in the movement of goods and services and people across the length and breadth of the country. Under the agenda of “Year of Roads”, massive infrastructure in form of roads have been put up in areas of the country more than any other government has been able to do in this country.
However, we still need to do more in this sector and this calls for the building and rehabilitation of roads in the food growing areas. When this is done, food items can easily be transported from the food producing areas to the food consuming centres.
All in all much work has been done in all sectors of the economy to establish a strong base for rapid growth in the country. Economic development is a process that takes time and ought to be carried out in a consistent manner to establish a bright future for the economy. This is what is being done so the fundamentals of the economy have been set right.
When the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia, made the point that “if the fundamentals are weak, the weaknesses will be easily exposed”, he was quoted out of context and unfairly attacked by his political opponents who see nothing good about what the government is doing. Now that these fundamentals are being built and strengthened for our future lives, we need to commend the Vice President as well as the President himself and the entire government for a good work done.
Seeing in this light, therefore, a good foundation has been laid for the country compared to the previous shaky government that was in existence previously for which reason the Vice President made that statement.
Today, government has decided to cut down on imports by 40 per cent with effect from this year and it is believed that this will continue until the imports are reduced to an insignificant percentage to make the economy of the country very strong.
With the laying down of a strong foundation it will be wrong to say the fundamentals are weak as was seen in previous times and that as we go into the future, rapid economic growth will be attained to make life far better. It is in light of this that every citizen in the country ought to play his/her part in order to help move the country forward and make economic life better for all.
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
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When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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