We have to stop government from sending us into a ditch with their incompetence - MP

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bia East, Hon. Richard Acheampong, has predicted doom for the country following the ‘incompetence’ of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

According to the legislator, the current administration is sending the country into a ditch due to their failure to listen to advice.

He was commenting on the press conference held by the Minority Caucus on some issues raised on the $2.25 billion domestic bond issued by the Finance Ministry, the $ 19 billion facility from China and the Energy Sector Levy among others.

In an interview with Kwame Tutu on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm, the legislator said, the contradictions from the Vice President and the Deputy Finance Minister on the facility are worrying.

He said, the Vice President says the money is a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Ghana and the Chinese government, is a joint venture and not a loan whereas his Deputy Minister has said it is a loan. ‘’So who do we believe? The Vice President says it’s a leveraging of our natural resources then later, said, it was a partnership.

Kwaku Kwarteng the Deputy Minister has said it is a loan. The contradictions are unfortunate.’’ In the view of the MP, the leveraging, partnership or loan is just grammar meant to deceive Ghanaians.

The Minority he hinted will scrutinize the China facility when it is brought before Parliament.

He told the host that, the constitution demands that any such agreement between Ghana and other countries must be subject to parliamentary approval.

‘’Whether it is a loan, partnership, agreement, it will surely come to Parliament. We are waiting patiently for the facility.

We will scrutinize it properly. The government has come under pressure from the Minority and some civil society organizations over its plan to leverage the country’s Bauxite deposits in the Atiwa forest to contract the money.

But according to the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who led Ghana’s delegation to sign the MOU for the $19 billion facility in China, it is a joint venture arrangement with that country and not a loan as has been suggested.

However, the MP insists the agreement should be clear and explained so Ghanaians will know the benefits and who stands to gain the more.

Hon. Acheampong quizzed why the Vice President who criticized the previous administration for contracting a loan of $3 billion from China is now leading the charge for Ghana to get even higher amounts from that country.

The Minority he added, is not being petty as suggested by the Majority but wants to be responsible and represent the interest of Ghanaians.

He advised government to listen to Ghanaians and stop being stubborn.

On the issue of the BOST saga, he said, the clearance by the BNI conceals more information and challenged the basis on which the MD was cleared of any wrong doing.