Focus on the economic crisis rather than increasing the size of an already bloated government- Minority Leader to government

Dr. Forson Cassiel Ato , the Minority Leader, has severely criticized President Akufo-Addo for the sufferings that the Ghanaian people are experiencing and is calling on the government to act quickly to improve the standards of living of the populace.

Dr. Forson, who happens to be a former deputy minister of finance, blasted the president for his new cabinet nominees in his speech at the opening of the parliamentary sitting on Friday, May 17.

He emphasized that the poor people cannot afford to keep funding such a large government, since the administration is already bloated.

According to Dr Forson,the President needs to cut down on the size of the government to show Ghanaians that he is paying attention to their requests.

However, he claimed that the President has become deaf to citizens’ demands for a smaller government.

Dr. Forson emphasized that the alarming depreciation of the Ghanaian Cedi should be the administration of Akufo-Addo’s top priority.

He made the point that there are serious economic problems, such as company failures and rising unemployment, as a result of the sharp fall in the value of the local currency.

The Minority Leader emphasized that the President should focus on these economic concerns rather than expanding an already large government size. He insisted that the economic problems needed to be addressed first.

Dr. Forson in concluding urged the government to put more efforts into stabilizing the economy and resolving the country’s urgent financial issues rather than growing the government at such a crucial juncture.

“Ordinary Ghanaians continue to bite the bullet and businesses are struggling under high tax regime to contribute to the development of country. What is expected on the part of government would have been prudent management of these contributions from the people of Ghana.”

“But hardly a day passes without one reckless and wasteful expenditure or the other by this government being uncovered,” Dr. Forson lamented.

“Mr Speaker, while we are happy for the nominees because we know that it is just a matter of time and colleagues from our side will begin appearing before the Appointments Committee, we cannot pretend that things are still the same.”

“Indeed, we cannot do things the same old way. Ghana’s present unfortunate situation occasioned by this government does not only call for new, creative and radical ways of confronting challenges, but it also calls for modesty and sacrifice by the political class,” Dr. Forson stated.