Focus on progress of the people; Nana Kwame Bediako tells government
Leader and Presidential candidate for the New Force Movement Nana Kwame Bediako has stressed the need for a governance model that promotes progress and prosperity for the people, while calling for internal wealth creation.
According to him politicians in Ghana needed to be “fair and reasonable” by being sensitive to the needs of Ghanaians to promote prosperity in the country.
He made the assertion during a crucial meeting with some members of GUTA, as part of GUTA’s initiative to engage with all presidential candidates and present their concerns directly.
Touching on the critical impact of economic instability on businesses he said “When the currency is not doing well, businesses will not do well. The rising inflation rate is killing businesses.”
Nana Bediako bemoaned that the depreciation of the cedi is a consequence of not creating value within the country.
He therefore urged GUTA members to start positioning themselves strategically in the marketplace.
“GUTA, start thinking about how you can take the position of the foreign traders here. Let us focus on creating distribution channels. The supply chain will launch us into great wealth.”
“My biggest problem is not the people suffering but how long they are going to suffer. I don’t know how the next generation will cope if things don’t change. Let the focus shift from enriching Chinese nationals in Ghana. We are losing our people to brain drain due to bad policies and it is sad,” he added
President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr Joseph Obeng, in his submission indicated that Ghana could achieve satisfactory economic reform only with greater representation of business interests in the country’s political landscape.
He said “Business leaders have to take over the governance of Ghana in order to stimulate economic growth.”
Dr Obeng further expressed worry over the growing disillusionment of the business community in Ghana with mainstream politicians, adding that “people are tired of mainstream politicians. It is time for business minded people to take over the leadership of this nation.”
He emphasised the frustration among traders and business owners with the current political landscape, stating, “It is sad people pay more attention to only mainstream politicians but this narrative needs to change as a matter of urgency.”
He stated that Nana Bediako, being a businessman, resonates with the trading community’s belief that he could address economic issues more effectively.
“The cedi is becoming weaker by the day. Measures should be put in place to address this matter because it is really affecting us,” he lamented.
According to him, cost of doing business in Ghana has also gone very high due to huge taxes, and import duties among others.
The GUTA president also warned mainstream politicians that this election could be their last chance to redeem themselves in the eyes of the business community.
“Mainstream politicians should pay attention to conversations going on and take Ghanaians seriously by handling matters of the economy more seriously,” he urged.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
