Minority announces a roadshow on the economy

By Eugene Davis

Newly appointed Minority Leader in Parliament Dr. Ato Forson has disclosed that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC)caucus will soon commence a nationwide roadshow to illustrate the dire economic situation of the country to the populace.

Addressing his maiden press conference at parliament house in Accra on Thursday, the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam MP said “we will also embark on a roadshow where we will galvanise the people of Ghana to educate them on the meaning of what this economic crisis is going to take us through.

Ghana is facing the highest in ation in more than two decades.

The consumer in ation rose to 54.1% year-on-year in December, up from 50.3% the previous month and its highest level in 22 years, driven by fuel, utilities and food, the statistics o ce said earlier this month.

The country approached the IMF in July for help after investor concerns about ballooning government debt — forecast to exceed the size of its economy in 2022 — led to a sello of government bonds that e ectively locked the country out of global capital markets.

The West African nation has reached a sta level agreement over US$3bn with the fund

S&P Global Market Intelligence forecasts that the economy will expand 3.5% this year, down from 4.6% in 2022.

Downsize gov’t

Further, the Minority Leader urged the President to downsize his government, cautioning that they will not accept any move to increase government.

“I wish to send a message to the NPP that the people of Ghana have fallen on them to downsize their government to re ect the mood of the country -you are asking people to forgo their coupon, you asking the ordinary guy to sacri ce his payout and so if the President intends to reshu e his government, let it be known that we in the NDC, will not accept an attempt increase the size of government. And if the current size of his ministers increases by one, that one person will not receive our cooperation.”

He also indicated that they have engaged with the Finance and Health Committees to conduct a public hearing of the Covid-19 expenditure beginning on the 7 February, 2023, saying “at that point we will pay due diligence to the duties given to us by the people of Ghana.”

He added that he has been humbled by the party’s decision to elevate him as a member of the caucus, adding he has held fruitful engagements with the former Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu.

“I am honoured and humbled to have been chosen to lead our illustrious and gallant caucus in Parliament. I thank the leadership of our party who have placed their trust and con dence in me. I am also deeply grateful to colleagues, the rank and le of our party and the Ghanaian people for their profound support and solidarity.”

The new leader singled out the outgoing Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, and commended him for his admirable stewardship when he led the caucus and assured that he will represent the collective interest of the NDC.

“I have held fruitful and positive conversations with my senior brother Hon. Haruna Iddrisu. I commend him for his admirable stewardship when he was granted the opportunity by our party’s leadership.”

“As a leader, it will be my duty to represent our collective goals with unwavering dedication and high integrity,” he added.

The NDC in a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, reshu ed its leadership in Parliament replacing the Tamale South MP with Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

Emmanuel Armah-Ko Buah, MP for Ellembelle also replaced Ketu North MP, James Klutse Avedzi as the Deputy Minority Leader while Kwame Governs Agbodza replaced Asawase MP, Muntaka Mubarak as the Minority Chief Whip.