The country, faces unprecedented economic challenges in the fourth republic. Debt to GDP, has crossed 80percent, with attendant harsh implications for debt amortization and interest payment. This moment, like no other, requires prudent leadership to improve efficiency of spending and productivity within the economy.
Conversely, the attitude of the Akufo-Addo’s government is to heavily burden the populace, whiles the huge government he created continues to bloom in profligacy, in absolute disregard for the suffering on the masses with inflation hitting almost 20percent in the capital, Accra, according to the statistical service.
This year, the Akufo-Addo’s government has spent about $20 million on conferences and travels that many believe are unnecessary. And even where justifiable, the number of people, from various agencies of state that travel to these conferences are repulsive, in the most favorable words.
Last year, many Ghanaians criticized the number of people who participated in the COP26 event in Glasgow- about 337 on the official list. The Government of Ghana was exposed by the official list from the UN agency when they attempted to deny the number with propaganda.
It appears that event was just the tip of the iceberg. Last week, another heavy Ghanaian contingent traveled with the President to the Dubai Expo under the guise of investment attraction.
The event drew the participation of Ministers, MPs, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the state agencies as the crème of Ghanaian contingent. Beyond that, hundreds of staff from the presidency and institutions thronged the event.
In some of the institutions the opportunity to travel was available to even the Human Resource department. The “free for all expenditures” in the state institutions have become a reward mechanism for those who patronize leadership in government.
The Energy sector institutions have become the worst offenders of the drain of resources. The Minister is unable to control any of the institutions because he is busy doing worse. Last week Alone, Napo attended the Expo in Dubai and flew from Dubai to Texas for a 15-minute slot at a conference.
Last month, the President and the energy Sector Agencies, moved a similar contingent to Guyana for another conference. These travels have become a leading output in the energy sector under Napo.
At the same time investors are frustrated by obscene policies causing de-investment in the upstream sector and production declines in the oil fields.
Total oil production has declined to about 130 thousand barrels per day at the time when the country needs oil the most to cash in on the global surge in prices.
It appears, the biggest problem of the government is how to cut its own waste. No new taxes. But Akufo-Addo’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, who has become a constant element in any solution to salvage the economy, appears clueless on what waste to cut.
In the coming days, The Herald will reveal the level of waste from one institution to the other to highlight the profligate that can save more money than e-levy.
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