Features
Economic situation: Who to blame
• Economic problems not limited to Ghana
Since the emergence of the economic problems encountered in Ghana and other parts of the world, many are those who have tried and attempted to put blame on other people for the economic turmoil.
Here in Ghana, the blame has been put on the Akufo-Addo administration even though in the view of objective minds, the blame is unfair. Others have singled out the Finance Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta and even accusing him of behaving recklessly even though we know and agree that he’s one of the best Ministers of Finance in the world today.
The economic problems of Ghana cannot be limited to only this country. The economic challenges extend to other parts of the world and that is why we need to be very careful before putting blame unjustifiably on anyone.
If we are to blame anyone, then irrespective of political affiliation, we need to be bold enough to call on past leaders who mismanaged the economy when they were in the helm of affairs. The economic problems being encountered today could have been avoided if the right steps had been taken in the past.
What is happening today is the result of certain wrong policies and decisions made in the past.
We should not easily forget about the loss of revenue that should have accrued to the country if the right things had been done. Investments in guinea fowls which we were told flew to Burkina Faso has become a laughing stock and goes to show that some of our past leaders ought to bow their heads in shame for failing to live up to expectation as far as sound economic policies are concerned.
This can be dovetailed into corruption which has been embraced in various parts of the country. Corrupt practices are shameful but this is what others have used to enrich themselves to the neglect of the nation. This situation is very unfortunate.
Corruption is practised not only by Ghanaians but foreigners as well. Many Ghanaians have proved to be so corrupt that they will do everything necessary to ensure that revenue due the country is denied it. These Ghanaians collaborate with their fellow nationals to destroy the economy and to deny the country what should come to it by way of revenue.
The collaboration in corrupt practices is sometimes carried out with foreigners and when this happens, it is as if Ghanaians do not care about what happens to their country even if foreigners are simply coming in to destroy it in any way they like. People need to learn to love their country rather than conniving with others to destroy the country’s dignity.
One of the things that readily comes to mind is the GH¢52 million paid to a man called Woyome for no work done to the state. Such “woyomisation” of the Ghanaian economy is part of the reasons we find ourselves in the present economic mess.
Another issue similar to this is ISOFOTON. This is a foreign company that also enjoyed the payment of millions of dollars for no work done to the country. All these could not have been possible without the connivance of some Ghanaians whose selfish interest they placed above that of the nation. These are shameful acts and occurrences that have contributed to the economic woes of this country.
Furthermore, a banking crisis was looming over the country because arrangements were put in place to relax the setting up of banks, a situation which led to lack of confidence in the banking sector. This forced the Akufo-Addo administration to look for some millions of Cedis to clean the banking sector.
With regard to the banking sector, some educated Ghanaians who were not patriotic connived with one another to take some monetary assistance from the Bank of Ghana to strengthen their so-called banking institutions. The support received in monetary terms was converted into dollars and taken abroad for their personal and selfish investments. All these have contributed to the economic difficulties the country is facing today.
Many of the economic problems we are facing today have been created by Ghanaians themselves yet they turn round to put the blame on the Finance Minister Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta and also the entire Government of Ghana today.
There is no doubt that external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its disastrous effects have contributed to the country’s problems. It has been argued in certain quarters that the pandemic was deliberately created by certain people in certain parts of the world. However, whatever it is, we cannot put the blame on any specific group of people in the world.
It is equally important to note that the economic difficulties that Ghana and the rest of the world are facing are partly the result of the Russian-Ukraine war. As a result of the war, the food chain connecting various parts of the world has been disturbed in a way and the result has been inflationary trends in various parts of the world including Ghana.
Again, if things are to be made better for all Ghanaians, then among other things, Ghanaians must put up a positive attitude towards work. This is what will make it possible for productivity to go high in order to be able to increase the welfare of all citizens in the country.
It is, therefore, wrong for anybody or group of persons to put the blame of the present economic turmoil on any persons. Let us look inward within ourselves to see where things have gone wrong and how these things can be made better for each one of us.
If this is the case, then almost everyone in this country is blameable for the current economic difficulties we are going through, especially the vociferous critics in Ghana today.
Let us learn to accept the blame ourselves and refrain from blaming others unduly.
*Contact gmail address/ whatsApp number of author:
pradmat201@gmail. com/0553318911
BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
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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