Features
Mahama’s views on economy: Critique
John Dramani Mahama
As a result of the economic challenges Ghana is facing today, the former president, Mr John Dramani Mahama, on 27th October, 2022, had cause to make some observations on the country’s economy and suggest ways of improving upon the economic situation.
He focussed on the higher indebtedness of the country and pointed out that it was a serious situation that ought to be addressed. According to him, Ghana had to cut down on imports and export more to other countries.
OPINIONS
This observation is not new because many Ghanaians have expressed similar views over the past few months. Thus, mentioning it at this time brings nothing new to the situation.
There must be some good reason why Mr John Mahama would want to make observations on the economy of the country. Ghana, like other countries in the world, finds itself in a difficult economic situation that needs to be addressed without delay.
MAHAMA’S INTENTIONS
The former President, first of all, has every right to comment on the economic situation in Ghana. First of all, he wanted his presence to be felt as far as economic issues were concerned so that Ghanaians would know that he was not out of touch with economic conditions in Ghana.
The second reason was that he wanted followers of his party to know that he was still a force to reckon with as far as leadership of the NDC was concerned.
Again, he wanted to gradually establish himself as a top contender who could lead the NDC in 2024 for the elections. This appears to have succeeded because he appears to have more resources than any other potential candidate to lead the NDC for the battle in 2024.
He created the impression the government of the NPP is always thinking about what they call “Breaking the eight” instead of thinking about how to solve the country’s problems.
POSSIBLE FLAG-BEARER
In light of this, the NDC is equally concerned about how they could also win the elections in 2024. This is clear from the pronouncements of the Minority MPs and the conduct of other members of the party outside parliament. As far as many observers in the country are concerned, Mr. John Mahama is very concerned and more determined than any other person within the NDC as a possible flag-bearer of that party.
This is because the NDC which is in opposition, is yet to open nominations for people who are interested to contest the position. Other contenders such as Mr. Kwabena Duffuor as well as others have not come up yet to exhibit their intentions. It would be good if new faces can emerge to lead the NDC as possible flag-bearers during 2024.
There are many people who doubt the capability of Mr. Mahama as a good presidential candidate for his party. As has been pointed out, he has more resources than any person and can carry out better campaign than any possible candidate.
ORDINARY OBSERVATIONS
John Mahama’s observations sound ordinary. His comments have all been echoed by people in the country and they reflect the views and comments of a few of their intellectuals in some of the universities. They again reflect the views of some of his minority parliamentarians so they bring nothing new on board.
One surprising comment which he made in connection with the cutting down of expenditures of the country was the call on government to suspend the African Games being hosted by Ghana in 2023. According to him, this would bring in more expenditure to worsen the case in relation to cost cutting. It must be pointed out, however, that the former President does not seem to understand the organisation of the African Games as a form of investment.
INVESTMENT
It is an investment that would bring many people into the country to watch the games. What this means is that, our hotels would be booked, and many of those who visit the country would also patronise food prepared by many food vendors.
They would bring in foreign currencies, notably dollars, which are now in shorter supply, thereby helping to strengthen the Cedi in the country.
Against this background, it is strange that many of the issues raised by Mr John Mahama cannot be accepted as valid. He has made his point whether right or wrong and all Ghanaians, must take note of it and make objective analysis of his comments.
WORKABLE SOLUTIONS
There is no doubt that the economic problems the country is facing are very serious and that many people are struggling to make ends meet. If this is the case, then we must think of coming up with fair minded workable solutions that will turn things around.
All Ghanaians must remain calm because it is a matter of time to resolve all these issues and as President Akufo-Addo, keeps saying, “This Too Shall Pass”.
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
THE typical itinerant salesman in Sikaman is a herbalist. He is normally a slim macho with the capacity to perambulate the expanse of area covering the triangle of Accra-Tema-Ashiaman. In short, he can walk a total of 60 miles a day, marketing a product that cures every disease, including poverty. 
The door-to-door herbal pharmacist advertises his product by word of mouth. He has nothing to do with the Food and Drugs Board (FDB). After all, his concoctions do not feature on FM stations.
Those herbalists who cannot walk to propagate the herbal gospel, liaise with drivers of mass transportation and their mates. They are, therefore, given the chance to sell their products on Benz buses that ply the routes.
Normally, the herbalist starts his sales message with a prayer and Bible study. He asks the passengers to bow down their heads in supplication to God the father, the son, the Holy Spirit.
When a herbalist asks the passengers to close their eyes and bow their heads, Moslems on board naturally feel offended. They feel that the herbalist has no right to assume that every passenger is a Christian. They think such an assumption is an affront to Islam.
So a Moslem on board will raise the hand for a point of order. He’ll remind the herbalist that it would be in his own interest to mind his language.
“Be careful the way you address people in a public place. Not every person here is a Christian,” he’d state assertively.
Of course, the herbalist will promptly ignore him, but would all the same “watch” his tongue. Who knows whether or not the Moslem brother is inspired by Quoranic zeal to defend the tenets of Islam to the hilt?
When he starts saying, “Wallahi!” and “Inshallah!” it could be the beginning of proclaiming Islam as supreme, a point which must be driven home with talibanic precision.
So the herbalist must tread carefully lest he steps on fire.
The herbalist could even add a measure of mirth to it all, by announcing that Christians on board today have very interesting company on the journey, but that should not detract from the business of the day.
The Moslem brother will weigh the words carefully and offer a wry smile.
He must be careful the occasion does not degenerate into the use of semantics and proverbial oration to deride his conviction that public utterances must be mindful of religious sensibilities. He has made his point very clear and expects that it is taken in good faith in the interest of a peaceful journey.
The herbalist will now open the New Testament and preach salvation, stating clearly that salvation can come only through Jesus Christ and NOBODY else.
The Moslem brother will now start twitching his moustache. The visible and almost revolutionary reflexes of his upper lip can be an indication that sentiments have begun superseding reason, and the outcome could well be tragic now shift uneasily in his seat.
The time has come for him to also express his right to the religion of his fore-bears. He’ll put his hand into his pocket and rise to his feet. The time has indeed come!
This article was first published on Saturday, September 9, 2006
When the cause of a particular problem like sickness, disease, sudden illness, a social issue etc. are not known, it stands to reason that resolving it becomes a huge challenge.
Citizens would understand the government when public announcements are made to the effect that government is trying to find a solution to the issue, even though it is taking a while for it to be resolved because citizens are rational beings.
On the other hand, if the solution to a particular issue is known to everybody but the government for whatever reason, is dragging its feet in resolving it, citizens become frustrated and begin to lose trust in their leaders.
One such issue is the heavy traffic along a section of the Kasoa – Odokor road. A short stretch of bad road between the traffic light at the Weija Government Hospital and the entrance to the entrance of the overhead that leads to the N1, is the cause of the problem but nothing is being done about it, day after day, week after week, month after month. Thus is clearly unacceptable.
Another issue that requires urgent attention is the lack of pavements along a lot of streets in parts of the various Municipal Assemblies. Exercise is a prerequisite for long life and healthy living and for those of us who it has become a way of life, this issue of people putting up structures right to the edge of the drains beside the roads, are making life difficult for us.
We are compelled to walk along the roads, putting our lives at serious risk. Pedestrians should never be compelled to compete with vehicles on our streets and roads. Roads and streets are made for vehicles and pavements are made for pedestrians. That is the norm. Any attempt to normalise a situation where pedestrians are mingling with vehicles is insanity.
It is the road regulations that makes it so and therefore district or municipal assemblies are to take responsibility and ensure that spaces for pavements are not encroached upon. Citizens have rights that must be protected by their leaders and making pavements available to pedestrians, is one of them.
When we hear of teachers having sex with students, it appears it is something recent. It is not a new phenomenon. It has been there since Adam. Perhaps this issue is getting much attention due to the proliferation of social media. It was an open secret in times past when Teachers were in relationships with female students and some married them immediately after completion of school.
Some teachers were also known to be having unholy interactions with female pupils but due to the times that these acts occurred, human rights issues and the awareness around it, allowed such unscrupulous teachers to get away with their crimes.
Now we are in a different era and so a Headmaster is now in hot waters. He is alleged to have raped about 19 female students and as usual, some officials tried to cover it up and are also in hot waters and their actions or inactions in the matter are under investigation.
Why the man has been allowed to roam freely without being arrested is simply mind boggling. It appears that the law applies differently, depending on who you are. This issue came to public attention sometime in August this year, yet the police had not arrested or invited this man for question regarding the rape allegation.
It has come out that he is a Constituency Secretary of the ruling party and the question in the public domain is that, is it because he is a political figure that is why he is still walking around without questioning? I believe in the rule of law so let us hold our breadth and let the proper thing be done.
The police must however be seen to be active in this matter. God bless.
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