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Ghana needs radical constitutional reforms …as we seek economic support from the IMF
Times are, indeed, very hard and Ghana our beloved country is not what it used to be in the past. The country is now more than a hell, with things beginning to fall apart and if we do not take care, very soon, the centre will not hold, with apology to Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart novel. As of now, it is the fervent prayer of every Ghanaian citizen that our hope in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economic bailout, will yield a positive result within the shortest possible time, so as to lift this country out of the economic mess it finds itself.
GMA SECRETARY’S ASSERTION
As the current General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Titus Kofi Beyuo, once pointed out in a television programme recently, “The state of Ghana now, is like a patient at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of any health facility with all the supporting breathing instruments on him or her while gasping for breath. As soon as these health supports are removed, it means that is the end of the patient Ghana”. That is exactly the situation in which Ghana finds itself in at the moment, as it battles for breath of survival.
Indeed, without mincing words, Ghana is in a state of coma and unless something extra-ordinary and urgently is done to revive the shattered and downward trend of the economy, the possibility of this country becoming doomed, cannot be ruled out. The leaders have been overwhelmed with the challenges the country is facing hence taking an advantage of the IMF bailout which does not come easily but with certain harsh conditions. Currently, the country is in a difficult situation, saddled with high cost of living and severe hardships. Prices of goods and services are astronomically high, people have grounded their cars due to high cost of fuel, motorists, especially public transportation, are finding it difficult to break even, due to increase in spare parts and other lubricants. Landlords and prospective developers are complaining bitterly due to the high cost of building materials such as cement, iron rod, sand, stone, roofing sheet, floor tiles among others.
PLIGHT OF PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS
Currently, public sector workers are facing severe difficulties as their take home pay cannot sustain them and their dependants. The high inflation rate coupled with the high cost of living, has eroded the monthly salaries of workers, thereby deepening their woes and making them impoverished. People’s health conditions are deteriorating faster than it used to be as they find it extremely difficult to access medical facilities due to underlying poverty and lack of funds. The situation we find ourselves in now, is just too bad and uncomfortable to say the least.
Even though President Akufo-Addo and for that matter the government, has admitted that we are in a terrible economic crisis, nevertheless, it keeps laying the blame at the doorstep of the COVID-19 pandemic which rocked the entire world in 2019, causing a lot of misery and havoc as well as the Russian-Ukraine war which affected the importation of certain goods and services from those two countries by nations which relied on them for survival. The government’s defence that the situation was a global challenge, has been debunked by economic think tanks in the country, arguing that it was a failure on the part of the government and its appointees to put proper structures in place to curtail the difficulties we find ourselves in at the moment. According to them, people placed in positions of authority have failed to manage the economy in the right perspectives.
CALLS FOR THE DISMISSAL OF FINANCE MINISTER
The recent call by both the Majority and Minority caucuses in Parliament to the President to sack the Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of State in-charge of Finance, Dr. Charles Adu Boahen, who was recently dismissed by the President on grounds of corruption allegation against him, attests to the fact that, those put in charge of our economic management, are not performing to expectation, hence the economic downturn. If MPs from the ruling party, the NPP, are calling on the President for the removal of personalities who are managing the public purse, then there is a systematic failure in government which needs to be addressed. As we speak now, there is a censure motion pending against the substantive Minister Ken Ofori-Atta which will be debated in parliament by the full house.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
As of now, some of the economic challenges the country faces are unemployment, corruption, inconsistent economic policies, poor human capital development, poor health system, crime and terrorism. Our major problem is the rising debt which stands above 80 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is projected to reach 104 per cent by the end of 2022. The country has been thrust into debt distress as 70 per cent of its total revenue must go towards debt servicing. The GDP rate in Ghana is expected to reach 72 billion dollars by the end of 2022, according to Trading Economic global macro models and analyst expectations. However, some financial analysts have suggested that in order to revamp the economy, we need to support private sector growth in strategic export oriented sectors but not limited to agriculture and agricultural processing services to ensure greater export, garment and apparel production and light manufacturing.
SOLUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
It is also suggested that to confront the graduate unemployment situation in the country, a youth programmed fund should be created to fund start-up businesses for the youth. Government should also encourage young people to pursue technical education. We need to promote transparency and access to information. We must create funding and strengthen agencies to prosecute corrupt cases. Children must be given access to quality education, while at the same time ensuring basic health care for all Ghanaians.
The large size of government has been a thorny issue which is posing a serious threat to the country’s advancement since it serves as a drain to our meagre financial and economic resources. For now, most Ghanaians are suggesting that, there should be a drastic reduction of ministers to a maximum of between 10 and 12, while at the same time merging some of the ministries to take up other duplicating and similar roles. Some people have also argued that, until the economy is put on a sound footing, the position of District Chief Executive, should be suspended, while we allow the respective regional ministers to take up their roles and functions in their respective jurisdictions to cut down cost and conserve resources. It is also being suggested that the current number of 275 MPs should be reduced to at least 200, and this means we have to review our Constitutional requirements.
ADDITIONAL ROLE FOR VEEP
A suggestion is made that in view of the financial background of the current Vice President who is the Head of the Economic Management Team, he should be given an additional responsibility as Minister responsible for Finance, with at least a competent deputy to manage the finance portfolio. The argument being put across is that, “your area of expertise that made you to gain the position in government must be put into practice”.
These are, indeed, fine and pragmatic suggestions from a section of Ghanaians which must be seriously considered at this time of the country’s history when it is confronted with a lot of challenges and, therefore, needs various and varied solutions and interventions to our problems, as we try to access the IMF facility to put our economy in good shape. All we need at this critical period, is a referendum that will encourage Ghanaians to pool ideas, irrespective of party affiliations to hit the ground running. Ghana is at a crossroads and we need all hands on deck to resuscitate our ailing economy once and for all. Once the government has admitted that, we are in economic crisis, this is the time to call on Ghanaians to support government’s efforts in revamping the ailing economy.
TRIBUTE TO DR. KWESI BOTCHWEY
This article will not be complete without paying a special tribute to the Prof. Kwesi Botchwey of blessed memory, a former long serving Finance Minister in Ghana and who until his death, was so passionate about the turn of events in Ghana and had been speaking a lot about the country’s economic downturn and professing tangible solutions for its recovery. He would be sorely missed by Ghanaians for his rich ideas on the economy. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
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By Charles Neequaye
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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