Features
Ghana needs radical constitutional reforms …as we seek economic support from the IMF
Times are, indeed, very hard and Ghana our beloved country is not what it used to be in the past. The country is now more than a hell, with things beginning to fall apart and if we do not take care, very soon, the centre will not hold, with apology to Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart novel. As of now, it is the fervent prayer of every Ghanaian citizen that our hope in the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) economic bailout, will yield a positive result within the shortest possible time, so as to lift this country out of the economic mess it finds itself.
GMA SECRETARY’S ASSERTION
As the current General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Titus Kofi Beyuo, once pointed out in a television programme recently, “The state of Ghana now, is like a patient at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of any health facility with all the supporting breathing instruments on him or her while gasping for breath. As soon as these health supports are removed, it means that is the end of the patient Ghana”. That is exactly the situation in which Ghana finds itself in at the moment, as it battles for breath of survival.
Indeed, without mincing words, Ghana is in a state of coma and unless something extra-ordinary and urgently is done to revive the shattered and downward trend of the economy, the possibility of this country becoming doomed, cannot be ruled out. The leaders have been overwhelmed with the challenges the country is facing hence taking an advantage of the IMF bailout which does not come easily but with certain harsh conditions. Currently, the country is in a difficult situation, saddled with high cost of living and severe hardships. Prices of goods and services are astronomically high, people have grounded their cars due to high cost of fuel, motorists, especially public transportation, are finding it difficult to break even, due to increase in spare parts and other lubricants. Landlords and prospective developers are complaining bitterly due to the high cost of building materials such as cement, iron rod, sand, stone, roofing sheet, floor tiles among others.
PLIGHT OF PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS
Currently, public sector workers are facing severe difficulties as their take home pay cannot sustain them and their dependants. The high inflation rate coupled with the high cost of living, has eroded the monthly salaries of workers, thereby deepening their woes and making them impoverished. People’s health conditions are deteriorating faster than it used to be as they find it extremely difficult to access medical facilities due to underlying poverty and lack of funds. The situation we find ourselves in now, is just too bad and uncomfortable to say the least.
Even though President Akufo-Addo and for that matter the government, has admitted that we are in a terrible economic crisis, nevertheless, it keeps laying the blame at the doorstep of the COVID-19 pandemic which rocked the entire world in 2019, causing a lot of misery and havoc as well as the Russian-Ukraine war which affected the importation of certain goods and services from those two countries by nations which relied on them for survival. The government’s defence that the situation was a global challenge, has been debunked by economic think tanks in the country, arguing that it was a failure on the part of the government and its appointees to put proper structures in place to curtail the difficulties we find ourselves in at the moment. According to them, people placed in positions of authority have failed to manage the economy in the right perspectives.
CALLS FOR THE DISMISSAL OF FINANCE MINISTER
The recent call by both the Majority and Minority caucuses in Parliament to the President to sack the Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta and the Minister of State in-charge of Finance, Dr. Charles Adu Boahen, who was recently dismissed by the President on grounds of corruption allegation against him, attests to the fact that, those put in charge of our economic management, are not performing to expectation, hence the economic downturn. If MPs from the ruling party, the NPP, are calling on the President for the removal of personalities who are managing the public purse, then there is a systematic failure in government which needs to be addressed. As we speak now, there is a censure motion pending against the substantive Minister Ken Ofori-Atta which will be debated in parliament by the full house.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
As of now, some of the economic challenges the country faces are unemployment, corruption, inconsistent economic policies, poor human capital development, poor health system, crime and terrorism. Our major problem is the rising debt which stands above 80 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is projected to reach 104 per cent by the end of 2022. The country has been thrust into debt distress as 70 per cent of its total revenue must go towards debt servicing. The GDP rate in Ghana is expected to reach 72 billion dollars by the end of 2022, according to Trading Economic global macro models and analyst expectations. However, some financial analysts have suggested that in order to revamp the economy, we need to support private sector growth in strategic export oriented sectors but not limited to agriculture and agricultural processing services to ensure greater export, garment and apparel production and light manufacturing.
SOLUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
It is also suggested that to confront the graduate unemployment situation in the country, a youth programmed fund should be created to fund start-up businesses for the youth. Government should also encourage young people to pursue technical education. We need to promote transparency and access to information. We must create funding and strengthen agencies to prosecute corrupt cases. Children must be given access to quality education, while at the same time ensuring basic health care for all Ghanaians.
The large size of government has been a thorny issue which is posing a serious threat to the country’s advancement since it serves as a drain to our meagre financial and economic resources. For now, most Ghanaians are suggesting that, there should be a drastic reduction of ministers to a maximum of between 10 and 12, while at the same time merging some of the ministries to take up other duplicating and similar roles. Some people have also argued that, until the economy is put on a sound footing, the position of District Chief Executive, should be suspended, while we allow the respective regional ministers to take up their roles and functions in their respective jurisdictions to cut down cost and conserve resources. It is also being suggested that the current number of 275 MPs should be reduced to at least 200, and this means we have to review our Constitutional requirements.
ADDITIONAL ROLE FOR VEEP
A suggestion is made that in view of the financial background of the current Vice President who is the Head of the Economic Management Team, he should be given an additional responsibility as Minister responsible for Finance, with at least a competent deputy to manage the finance portfolio. The argument being put across is that, “your area of expertise that made you to gain the position in government must be put into practice”.
These are, indeed, fine and pragmatic suggestions from a section of Ghanaians which must be seriously considered at this time of the country’s history when it is confronted with a lot of challenges and, therefore, needs various and varied solutions and interventions to our problems, as we try to access the IMF facility to put our economy in good shape. All we need at this critical period, is a referendum that will encourage Ghanaians to pool ideas, irrespective of party affiliations to hit the ground running. Ghana is at a crossroads and we need all hands on deck to resuscitate our ailing economy once and for all. Once the government has admitted that, we are in economic crisis, this is the time to call on Ghanaians to support government’s efforts in revamping the ailing economy.
TRIBUTE TO DR. KWESI BOTCHWEY
This article will not be complete without paying a special tribute to the Prof. Kwesi Botchwey of blessed memory, a former long serving Finance Minister in Ghana and who until his death, was so passionate about the turn of events in Ghana and had been speaking a lot about the country’s economic downturn and professing tangible solutions for its recovery. He would be sorely missed by Ghanaians for his rich ideas on the economy. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
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By Charles Neequaye
Features
The Prophet part 4
Antobam woke up with a terrible headache. He checked the time on his mobile phone, 2:30 am. “What! Where is the money?” He asked aloud. “Where are those girls? Why did I drink so much of that whisky? What were those two girls up to?” He sat up on the bed and noticed a bulge close to the pillow.
He lifted the mattress and picked up the newspaper wrappers with the neatly arranged notes. He saw the neatly written record of the value of the notes. No, those girls are not thieves.
“It was my mistake. If I hadn’t drank myself to sleep they would be here in bed with me, giving me the time of my life. Pretty girls, those two. And so loyal and honest. Tomorrow will be different.”
“I will not drink any whisky, and I will show them that I am a real man. Just then he heard the whispers. Very soon it will be time, they seemed to be saying. This is an important day.”
The gold dealer will bring lots of money. Give him some of the liquid to drink, and we will prepare him. He will do very big business, and he will give you anything you ask for. There will be more miracles and testimonies today.
Antobam smiled to himself. “I am going to be a very rich man in only a few days man. Money, power, and women. Wow! Antobam got to the grounds at 5, but there were quite a number of people waiting.
Mr Kwame Dofu was among them. He greeted them all, and they came around to shake his hand. “My brothers and sisters, I assure you that whatever your problem is, you will not go home without a solution.” Shouts of “Amen” “thank” you Osofo and “you are a true man of God” responded.
“Please take your seats, and start talking to the great one about whatever bothers you. Before the service is over, there will be a solution.” He waved Mr Dofu over, and went with him to the wooden structure that serves as a temporary office.
“My brother, I have done quite a lot of work on the issue you came to see me about. I have prepared a special, powerful package for you. Take this, drink it, and go back to your business. I want to see you in two weeks.”
Beaming with smiles, Mr Dofu drank the foul smelling liquid in two gulps, said a big thank you to Antobam and took his leave. “I believe you, Papa Osofo. And I assure you that I will reward you, big time.”
Just when Osofo Antubam finished with Mr Dofu, Mary and Suzzie went over to him. “Good Morning ladies. I am very sorry about yesterday. I drank too much of the stuff you gave me. Today will be different, I assure you.”
“Don’t worry, Osofo. Since you are now setting things up, our main concern now is to help you to put things in place, and to make you comfortable. We are always there to serve you. This morning, Osofo, we want to go and clean up your place, and prepare something nice for you when you close.
And before coming to church, we will pass by the bank and collect the forms. After you have signed them, the account will be open. You can check the payments anytime and, of course, issue cheques whenever you need money.”
“Suzzie and Mary, I am happy I picked the two of you from the very start. Listen, I will take good care of you, okay? Here is some money. Buy whatever you need for the errands you have mentioned.
And here is the key. Please come back as early as you can. You know I need you here.” The service was very lively. The lively singing of praise songs was followed by one and a half hours of testimonies.
Most of them related to money – big sales, new jobs and overdue debts paid. But there were also testimonies about healing. Barren women had taken seed, and, of course, several men who had lost their bedroom authority had regained them, to the delight of their partners.
As he had promised, Antobam preached for only 30 minutes, exhorting the congregation to attend church regularly, pay their tithes and offerings, and strictly follow his ‘directions’ for securing solutions to their problems.
After another round of praises during which the congregation danced to the floor to drop their offering, he closed the service, grabbed the big bowl which was full to the brim with money, and moved to his desk. A long queue was quickly formed at the desk.
Meanwhile, Mary and Suzzie had gone to give Antobam’s place quite a decent look. A new bedsheet and pillows, a secondhand carpet and four plastic chairs placed in the verandah had done the trick.
They also prepared two fish and chicken stews. After all these, they rushed to the National Savings Bank and collected application forms for opening current and savings accounts.
They joined the service a few minutes before the main session closed. Antobam looked round and saw, to his relief, Mary and Suzzie moving towards him. “Hello ladies. What have you been up to?” “Quite a bit, Osofo. We’ve just collected your drink. Here you are. We’ve made a few changes at your place. I think you will like it. You will also have something nice to eat. Now, here are the forms for the savings and current accounts.
If you will sign them, the bank will open the account. From today, we can pay all monies direct into the account.” ‘How can I thank you, ladies?” “You don’t need to thank us,” Suzzie said. “It is our duty to help a man of God succeed.” “Okay, my ladies, please take the offerings and count them as you did yesterday.
You can add the payments made after the consultations. Will it be possible to pay them into the account today?” “Yes,” Mary said. “The bank closes at four. If we leave here at three, we would be there just in time.”
The two friends started counting, as Osofo Antobam gave his clients his directions for solving their problems. On quite a few occasions he closed his eyes as if he was receiving direction from above on what to do.
But as the fetish priest at the Nana Kofi Broni shrine and the dwarfs had assured him, the solutions would certainly be provided. Having heard the huge testimonies earlier in the day, the clients parted with substantial sums of money in expectation.
By Ekow de Heer
Features
The issue of spiritual father in our churches
A student was supposed to go to school as the natural cause of events should be when universities or schools in general opens but this was not the case in a certain young man’s life.
He decided to postpone his trip because apparently he could not get to meet his pastor, his spiritual father. The question is, should this spiritual father die, will the young man’s life come to an end?
Does it mean in such an instance, he is going to curtail his education? This is a worrying trend in a lot of churches where the pastors use this notion of spiritual father to manipulate members especially the youth.
Some unscrupulous pastors utilise this spiritual father concept to have affairs with gullible young ladies in their churches.
Now with homosexuality gradually making inroads into some of the churches, young men are becoming vulnerable to pastors who have hidden homosexual inclinations.
This spiritual father concept is a Biblical concept that runs through both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. We see it in 2 Kings 4:12 where Gehazi is serving Elisha and also in the New Testament we see Paul relating to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:2 as a Spiritual Father.
In fact, the concept of spiritual father is a good thing if executed according to the word of God since it helps in guiding the younger ones. However, it becomes problematic when it is being executed by unscrupulous wolves in sheepskins as described by Jesus in Mathew 7:15.
I see it as a way that these unscrupulous so-called men of God maintain their hold on the congregants so they do not question their unchristian actions.
One of the things I have observed since I got born again many years ago is that, any pastor who often insists that members recognise that he is their spiritual father is a warning sign that he is doing some wrong things or is about to indulge in some wrong things.
A parent complained about how his daughter was being influenced by a pastor of the church she attends and how worried he was. I am sure there are many parents out there with stories to tell about how their wards are being made to see their pastors almost like their Jesus.
These pastors have managed to make their congregants so loyal to them and to believe in them so much that it is terrifying, as a parent.
The way things are going, an immediate intervention is required otherwise I am not a prophet of doom but I forsee unfortunate instances where parents burst into church auditoriums and star shooting some Pastors out of frustration and anger.
We cannot look on unconcerned as a society and allow unscrupulous fraudsters using the name of God to create problems for families. My recommendation is for a certain amount of regulation in order to bring some sanity in religious practices.
I agree that ordinarily regulating religious practices makes it a bit restrictive in terms of freedom of worship as enshrined in our constitution but given the way things are going, a bit of regulation will not be out of place.
Disgusting stuff are being attributed to some men of God. There are cases of manipulation of young ladies and sometimes married women by so called men of God and it is bringing Christianity and therefore the name of the Lord into disrepute.
Christianity is gradually losing its attractiveness as a result of the negative reportage resulting from disgusting stuff happening in Christian circles. The way some pastors have been manipulating congregants to take money from them leaves much to be desired to the point where they are convincing some of the youth to give out their phones. May God help us.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
