GRi in Parliament 14 – 11 - 2002
Accra
(Greater Accra) 14 November 2002 - Members of Parliament on Wednesday expressed
varied sentiments and comments with regard to the review of the Mid-Year
performance of the economy on the basis of the budget statement and economic
policy of the Government issued by the Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo on
Tuesday.
While the
majority of the Minority members expressed dissatisfaction with the contents of
the statements and describing it as hollow and not relating to the demands of
the people, the Majority side hailed it and commended the Ministry of Finance
for an appropriate statement.
Edward
Salia, NDC-Jirapa called on the Government to take a closer look at the
economic environment and do less talk to come out with pragmatic solutions
instead of engaging in the theoretical.
Paul Collins
Appiah-Ofori, NPP- Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa said it seemed the Ministry of Finance
had taken cognisance of the figures it presented and mentioned that control
expenditure expenditures and financial regulations need to be critically
examined. He said the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service could do more than
they were doing and said the Government should rather be commended for ensuring
the growth of the cedi.
Alhaji Amadu
Ali, NDC-Atebubu South said worse economic situations are happening now as
compared to two years ago and mentioned the high cost of electricity, water and
health as well as educational fees. He said if the Government was saying that
inflation was going down it must be reflected in the people's pockets, impact
positively on the peoples' lifestyles through pragmatic approaches.
Alex Kwaku
Korankye, NPP-Asante-Akim South commended government for giving farmers
guaranteed prices for the cocoa saying the gesture has ensured that it has kept
faith with the farmers. He said about 9000 scholarships have been awarded to
wards of farmers and said the farmers have been very appreciative, adding that
the statement was appropriate.
John Mahama,
NDC- Bole described the disposition of the Finance Minister at the presentation
of the statement as very sober, which he said, was a reflection of the
minister's realisation of the economic situation of the country. He said the
Government was fortunate to have inflow of external resources as well as
remittances just after the elections, which enabled them to cope up with the
economic situation but it was now time to face the realities of managing an
economy of a third world country.
Mahama said
even the attitude of "positive change" has not changed the domestic
and external borrowing, which is a worrying signal that must be addressed,
while statutory payments such as the District Assemblies Common Fund and the
GETFund were still in arrears. He said the Government was not following the
benchmark it set itself, adding that issues of economy do not only relate to
the survival of the people but are of interest to both sides of the House who
must constantly be consulted.
Gabriel Yaw
Amoah, NPP- Bosome-Freho said the control of the capsid and black pod diseases
through the mass cocoa spraying exercise by the Government was commendable but
regretted that the exercise was not undertaken in his area.
Mumuni Abudu
Seidu, NDC- Wa Central described the statement as very technical that only a
few people could understand and called for concerted effort to find suitable
solutions to the country's 'fragile' economy. He said workers are forced to
depend on living wages, whilst unemployment was on the increase even after the
supposed registration of the unemployed.
Albert Kwaku
Obbin, NPP- Prestea/Huni Valley said even though the interest rate has fallen
it was not favourable to the agricultural sector and called for credit control
measures to cushion the industry.
Amos Larweh
Buertey, NDC- Ada said comparatively, the Ghanaian was worse off than he was
two year ago coupled with the increase in utility and other fees. He said it
was time the budget statement was related to the situation of the people
instead of playing politics with their lives, adding that the plight of the
people should be concern of the government and not figures.
Mrs Angelina
Baiden-Ammisah, NPP-Shama said the HIPC initiative was started by the previous
government and being implemented now and it has so far yielded dividends for
the socio-economic development of the country.
Modestus
Ahiable, NDC_ Ketu North said all the various Funds aimed at poverty
alleviation of the country were politicised, not transparent and are of no
benefit to the people who should benefit.
Isaac Kobina
Nyame Ofori, NDC-Sefwi Wiawso said the price variations of cocoa between Ghana
and her neighbours and the bad road network were contributory factors to the
increase in smuggling, especially in the Western Region. He said following what
the Minister stated in his budget statement it meant the country must prepare
itself for an increase in fuel prices and asked the Minister to explain the
current situation at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).
Yaw
Osafo-Maafo, in summing up the comments said the country has not kept faith
with the payment of the percentage for the District Assemblies Common Fund and
called for a policy on how to apply the fund.
On the
International Financial Consortium (IFC) loan, he said it required a full
statement, adding that a sovereign statement has still not been signed for its
disbursement. Osafo-Maafo said a forensic audit is taking place at TOR to check
the mismanagement.
GRi…/
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