Ablakwa: We need a “Ghana Rescue Plan” to revive economy

The MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to formulate a “Ghana Rescue Plan” that will help stabilise the distressed Ghanaian economy.

Ablakwa believes the plan has become imperative because of the economic challenges facing the country.

“How I wish we could come together in this time of economic crisis and collectively formulate a GHANA RESCUE PLAN,” Ablakwa posted on Facebook.

“Not an NPP/Akufo-Addo agenda or NDC/Mahama agenda. Not the numbers game in Parliament either nor if Deputy Speakers should be voting, and definitely not relying on the judiciary to reduce the number of MPs on the side of our opponents so one party can gain an advantage to force down narrow partisan policies.

“If ever nationalism, consensus, partnership, mutual respect and sincere consultations were needed to move our dear country forward, it is now,” the opposition front-bencher said.

The North Tongu MP wants both the Minority and Majority to give top priority to the national interest by coming together to formulate the Rescue Plan.

“The question, however, is: can we as [the] current crop of Ghanaian leaders find the humility, maturity, selflessness, trust for each other and genuine love for country to urgently put together that GHANA RESCUE PLAN?” he asked.

Review “Father Christmas” policies to sustain economy

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has made a proposal to the government to review certain major policies to help cut down on expenditure to save the distressed economy.

Talking to Kwaku Nhyira-Addo on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (21 March 2022), the director of research at the IEA, John Kwakye, said the government must stop funding policies that are not benefiting the economy.

“There are far too many programmes that are populist in nature and seek to make the government popular. We need to take a critical look at some of the programmes and amend them.

“We need to start burden-sharing, because if a parent wants to pay for the education of their child why should the government stop them?” Dr Kwakye asked.

“Free SHS is consuming so much of our resources and I am not sure as to if the expenditure cost was anticipated [ahead of time],” he said.

The IEA research director also called on the government to cut down on expenditure.

“We have a situation where our government is paying for everything that involves senior high school education … almost as though the government is a ‘Father Christmas’,” Kwakye said.