The Minority in Parliament has challenged President John Dramani Mahama to stop lamenting and fix the economy if he thought it was broken.
In the view of the caucus, President Mahama was noted for lamenting anytime he got the opportunity to manage the economy.
Responding to the President’s address to Parliament on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Accra, yesterday, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, recalled that President Mahama in 2013 told the House that the “meat was down to the bone” as a result of the growth of the growing wage bill.
In his address yesterday, President Mahama said the economy was saddled with staggering debts to the tune of GH¢721 billion with several state-owned enterprises in debt, including the ECG and COCOBOD who owe GH¢68 billion and GH¢32 billion respectively.
President Mahama said the economic malaise was dire than initially thought, but assured of his resolve to fix the economy.
But, Mr Afenyo-Markin, MP, Effutu, in the Central Region, said the President’s assertion was synonymous to lamentation.
“Mr Speaker, the President has come again to this House with a familiar story – the usual lamentation – packaged in a language as though we have a new beginning. If the President has any concerns, his duty is to fix it,” the Minority Leader said.
“The President again, as part of his lamentations, is telling the nation that through some arrangements, they have been able to pay domestic bonds and some energy sector debts. My question is, has the President any budget? Those monies are from the revenues he inherited that he has used for this purpose,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin accused President Mahama of double standards in his quest to create jobs for the 2.2 million unemployed Ghanaians, whiles terminating the appointments of persons who have been hired by the previous administration.
He criticised the President for ‘overlooking’ women in his government with only two in his 19-member cabinet despite having a woman as a Vice President.
However, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, said the President’s address has brought hope to Ghanaians.
“Mr Speaker, what has happened to our economy and our country, and the presentation that has been made, says it all. It is sad. It is unfortunate, but the President has brought us hope,” Mr Ayariga, MP, Bawku Central, stated.
In his view, the address resonated with various groups, including the youth, women, okada riders, the private sector, students and ordinary Ghanaians.
“Mr Speaker, we have no doubt that everything outlined here gives hope, and this House will support the President to deliver on his commitment,” Mr Ayariga assured.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
