There is economic crisis in Ghana - MP

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi, Papa Owusu Ankomah, says the country is in economic crisis and suggested bi-partisan dialogue and national consensus to find solutions to the crisis.

He said the fast depreciation of the cedi against the major international trading currencies; nationwide water shortage, frequent power outages as well as the current budget deficit were clear indications that there was the need for all stakeholders in the country to come on board to resolve the economic slump for the betterment of the citizenry.

Papa Owusu Ankomah told the GNA in an interview that, there was a lack of policy coherence and cited how poorly the government managed the University of Ghana toll booth situation as a clear case in point.

He said it was the Minister of Roads and Highways who cut the sod for work to start on the construction of the roads and that the University used its internally-generated funds to finance the construction of the roads.

“How come the government is not in support of the University not collecting road tolls?” he asked.

He said the Attorney General’s Department was in the known before the university authorities started collecting the tolls and questioned the government for kicking against the toll collection.

Papa Owusu Ankoma said if there was isolation of the Ministry in policy implementation then there was no coherence in policy execution and this called for concerns.

He said the slouch in the economy had reduced the confidence of most Ghanaians in the political leadership; therefore the government must acknowledge that there was a problem so that there would be a national consensus in resolving the issue.