Methodist Bishop blasts gov’t over economy

The Methodist Bishop of the Obuasi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Stephen R. Bosomtwe-Ayensu, has condemned attitudes and behaviours of the government and its officers which have rendered the nation “bankrupt”.

Speaking at the 16th Annual Synod of the church in the gold-mining town of Obuasi, the Methodist Clergy said: “Let us all be thankful to God that the real state of Ghana’s economy is well told. It is published that the economy of our dear country is down to the bones, but the question is, who ate the flesh, and where were the guards when the meat was being eaten?”


He said President John Dramani Mahama and officials of his administration owed the people of Ghana an explanation.


The Methodist Bishop continued: “I strongly believe that some Ghanaians know the eaters, and since government cannot do it all alone, why would Ghanaians not be bold, and for the sake of the betterment of Ghana, expose those choppers to return the leftovers to the national coffers.”


Rt. Rev. Bosomtwe-Ayensu said since the government had failed to guard against certain behaviours and attitudes of officers of the administration which “have rendered this nation bankrupt, it now behooves on each and every one of us to work harder to put some flesh on these bones, to enable the economy live again.”


While encouraging Ghanaians to work harder to improve the country’s economy, the Methodist Bishop asked the government to ensure that the needs of striking members of various national institutions were met.

“It is amazing and disturbing to hear that the bones, which we think are of no use, are also being fought over and packed into other people’s car boots. Synod will plead with the ‘Powers-that-be’ that if the bones were there at all, give some portions to members of the various striking institutions.”


On the ongoing galamsey menace, the Rt. Rev. Bosomtwe-Ayensu asked the government to consider the legalisation of illegal mining (galamsey) activities for the benefit of the youth in the country.


He observed that the situation, where foreigners, especially Chinese, have taken the leadership positions in the business was not the best for the country and its youth.


In his State of the Nation Address to Parliament last February, President John Dramani Mahama said the economy was up to the bare-bones.


It emerged that the government overspent its budget by GH¢8.7 billion cedis. Even the Presidential budget overshot its target by as much as GH¢600 million in 2012.