Features
President’s address on economy: Critique
• President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
As the father of the nation, President Akufo-Addo could not have looked on unconcerned while the economic situation in Ghana became uncontrollable, making life uncomfortable for people in this country.
For this reason, he made an address to the nation on Sunday, October 30, 2022, to calm the nerves of everyone. The broadcast was necessary to let the people know about the steps the government was taking to address the economic issues the country faced.
What is good about the address is that the government acknowledged that, indeed, economic life had become very difficult in the country. He pointed out that life had become very difficult and that people were finding it difficult to find the means to live as they expected.
MEASURES
He cited a number of measures being taken by the government to address the problems the country was facing. He pointed out that the people in Ghana would have to cut down on their demand for or taste for foreign goods so that some foreign exchange could be saved. At the same time, he stated that there was a need to export more goods and services to other countries so that enough foreign income could be earned for the nation.
This is a valid and important point that cannot be taken for granted. If the country is able to export more to other countries and at the same time cut down on imports, it will result in a favourable trade balance. This is what the country needs, so we all need to work towards it.
BLACK MARKET
The President again said the Bank of Ghana would take steps to sanitise the black market. Those opposed to the government think that this is a fact that is already known by everybody, so it is nothing new that is being presented to the country. A careful look at the situation shows that the black market influences the fall of the cedi, so if nothing is done about it, the situation would continue to be worse. It is on this basis that we need to take serious steps to sanitise the black market in the country so that the pressure on the cedi can be reduced.
This is also a commendable action on the part of the government. However, the Bank of Ghana should not rest on its oars but work harder than before to bring the situation under control.
FOOD SECURITY
Another measure that ought to be taken is to ensure that there is food security. The results of the “Planting for Food and Jobs” initiative are that now the country can boast of an adequate food supply. In spite of this, the high fuel prices have adversely affected the transportation of these foodstuffs, thereby making their prices high in the market.
Some of the traders have taken advantage of the prevailing situation to increase the prices of goods and services. This is making life unbearable for many Ghanaians. It was, therefore, good for the President to have pointed this out and advised all traders to make life comfortable and bearable for all consumers. This piece of advice is in the right direction and ought to be taken seriously.
DOLLARS AVAILABILITY
Another measure announced by the President is the step by the Bank of Ghana to make some dollars available in the economy to ease pressure on the Ghanaian currency. This measure must be implemented and monitored well so that no leakages get into the wrong hands. If such a matter were to be effectively implemented, it would help to bring about better results as far as the economic situation is concerned.
It is important for us to note that the economic situation cannot be addressed immediately, but we need to implement short-and-medium-term measures to address the situation. In addition, we need to look into the future and implement long term measures to make the country export oriented.
EXPORT-ORIENTED
Until the economy of Ghana is export-oriented, it will be difficult to bring the situation under control and make economic life better for everyone in the country. This is what all Ghanaians ought to understand so that drastic measures implemented by the government can be supported by all stakeholders.
The situation whereby one section of the population keeps saying that they are not part of the government and thereby leave all implementation of matters to the government alone is not the best.
PARTISANSHIP
The government, supported by the people of Ghana, needs to push away partisanship so that togetherness, from all parties, will be the order of the day to encourage and cushion us to attain the ultimate purpose of economic development. The situation whereby one can predictably know the pronouncements of the representatives of the Majority and also those of the Minority over national issues ought to be examined carefully so that thorough discussions can always be carried out in the interest of the nation.
The foundation of every society is the economy. This means that if the economy is weak, socioeconomic development will be shaken. The unfavourable economic trends prevailing in the country show that we need to take serious measures to address economic matters and redirect the implementation of certain programmes to levels that can bring higher and better results for the enjoyment of everyone.
STANDARD OF LIVING
The standard of living must be enhanced. If this is done, the economic welfare of people would be enhanced, and they would be the ultimate beneficiaries. Theoretical concepts from people who parade as experts ought to be thoroughly examined so that only practical and workable solutions can be brought on board to push the agenda of development forward.
The agenda of economic development must be pushed vigorously forward so that the ultimate purpose of a good life can be attained for all people in the country. This situation can only be resolved through practical and workable solutions, not through mere theoretical concepts.
PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS
Theories are good, but for many people who make suggestions from the perspective of theory, they should be the first to honestly admit that theoretical solutions are different from practical ones. For example, if a suggestion is made that we should increase exports to strengthen the cedi, that is good, but you cannot increase exports within a day or two to get the results we all cherish. It is for this reason that ideas must be brought together for practical oriented solutions to be taken in the short term, medium term, and long term so as to be able to attain the results we all want for the country.
The economic situation is a challenge to all Ghanaians to think about innovative ways of addressing all the challenges. After the Second World War, the German economy was in shambles, and inflation was far worse than we see in Ghana today. This may sound unbelievable, but it is true because it did happen.
GOOD POLICIES
Today, the Germans have overcome their challenges, and Germany is seen as having a strong economy that is now very attractive to all Africans as well as people in other parts of the world. It is so much a matter of hard work, unity of purpose, and the timely implementation of good policies.
The “One District, One Factory”, the “Planting for Food and Jobs” and “Export” as well as many other programmes being implemented by the government are all good and must be improved upon when necessary so that the best results can be achieved for the people of Ghana.
The problems the country faces today are overcomable, so let us work towards them and bring in the needed results so that economic lives can be made bearable and comfortable for all Ghanaians.
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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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