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.
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
