Features
Bawumia, an economic genius
Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia
When Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia made it clear that if given the opportunity to choose between the Ghana Card on the one hand and some road interchanges on the other, he would prefer to choose the Ghana Card, many people, especially those in the opposition, lambasted him and rained insults on him just because they did not understand the essence of his choice.
What Vice President Bawumia meant when he made the choice of the Ghana Card was that the card was a facility or document that could make things easy as far as business transactions between individuals and corporate organisations are concerned. He meant that the document known as the Ghana Card was going to facilitate all transactions and make things easy for socioeconomic development in the country.
Some of the direct benefits of his profound statement and choice are that the Ghana Card would serve as an identity to make it easy for people to register for their health insurance, merge their SSNIT numbers with it, and also help everyone to be easily identified for the purpose of participating in elections in the country at any point in time.
The Ghana Card, which serves as our national ID card, would also serve as an employee identity card on all occasions and help the country to fish out criminals in the country. Again, going for loans from the banks or engaging in any form of business transaction could also be facilitated through the use of our national identity card, otherwise known as the Ghana Card.
If the Ghana Card can be used for all these purposes, among other things, then it stands to reason that all forward-looking citizens of this country ought to understand and embrace it for its socioeconomic values. It takes only a genius like Vice President Dr. Bawumia to understand the essence of our national ID card, the Ghana Card. It is this card that can help promote revenue collection and also promote business transactions in any part of this country for the reconstruction of Ghana’s economy. If this is the case, then it is possible to use the ID card, which is the Ghana Card, to generate enough revenue to rebuild roads, hospitals, schools, road interchanges, and many other good things in the country.
Those who misunderstood the Vice President are not the reading type or lack knowledge of processes that could easily lead to the building of facilities and other good things in the country.
From this, it becomes clear that Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia is a genius whose foresight goes beyond that of his political opponents. Understood in this way, the Vice President is a great economic genius whose contribution to the economic growth of the country is beyond measure.
He should be seen as a great asset that is far better than many of the human commodities we have in this country. His plans and programmes for this country go beyond the immediate benefits that this country can derive from our national growth.
WHO THEN IS A GENIUS?
A person can be described as a genius when he’s knowledgeable, creative, skilled, and understands the present and the future. Such a person also knows what can be done today to push us further or forward for progress in the future. In other words, such a person has foresight as far as economic strides are concerned.
It is good that Vice President Bawumia is the Head of the National Economic Management Team and is collaborating with other hardworking personalities such as the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, and many others in the country to ensure that Ghana moves on smoothly to achieve the ultimate economic goal for the country. This is what we need to meet all the challenges facing a developing country like Ghana and propel the country from its current economic level to a higher pedestal of economic development.
The world has been facing serious economic challenges as a result of the Russian-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic. These developments have taught Ghana and many others in the world that we need to take pragmatic measures to strengthen our economy and make it more resilient to economic shocks.
The Akufo-Addo administration has, therefore, reacted positively to this development, making it possible for the country to make strides in the face of global economic challenges.
In spite of the challenges facing the country, the Akufo-Addo administration, ably supported by Vice President Bawumia, the Finance Minister, and the Economic Management Team, is putting up 111 district health facilities across the country. In addition, 307 ambulances have been supplied to all parts of the country, and today, every constituency has at least one ambulance.
Furthermore, drones have also been brought in to supply essential drugs to distant places throughout the country. In addition to all these, free Senior High School, Technical and Vocational Education and Training are also ongoing to ensure that the manpower needs of the country are being met in the right way.
Coming back to Vice President Bawumia as a genius, it should not be forgotten that his role in the economic team is helping to transform the economy of Ghana. Indeed, certain positive measures have been taken to make it possible for the Cedi to gain essential value and appreciation. It should not be forgotten that Vice President Bawumia has announced that the government has decided to use gold instead of the US dollar for the purchase of crude oil into the country. This is working perfectly well, and many fuel-exporting countries have sent representatives into the country to take advantage of this new arrangement.
In connection with this, all those involved in the legal mining of gold in the country are to deposit the gold they gather in rural banks for these banks to deal with the Precious Minerals and Mining Companies (PMMC) for export.
This is an ingenious measure that can come from practical-oriented minds that can overturn the economic challenges facing the country.
Similarly, Dr. Bawumia and his economic team have also succeeded in controlling speculation regarding the value of the US dollar.
What is more, Dr. Bawumia and his team under the direction of President Akufo-Addo have made it clear that, beginning in 2023, our foreign imports will be cut by 40 per cent. Those who want to bring in commodities like imported cooking oil and imported chicken will have to find their own foreign currencies for that purpose but not request dollars from the Bank of Ghana.
These and many other measures taken by Dr. Bawumia and his Economic Management Team under the direction of President Akufo-Addo have helped ease the pressure on the US dollar. This explains why the Cedi is performing wonderfully well and appreciating in value.
For all these reasons, those who are only concerned about empty politics that cannot bring any benefit to the country would have to stop the misdirection of their energy and collaborate with the government to ensure that we are able to achieve our ultimate goal of economic development.
On the basis of this, let each and every Ghanaian support the efforts of the Economic Management Team and also pray that President Akufo-Addo continues to provide the good leadership he has made available for the country so that both the present and future generations will benefit from the current programmes and policies being implemented.
By Dr Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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