General News of Friday, 20 July 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-07-20
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has said the huge size of the Akufo-Addo government is affecting the economic output of the country indirectly.
Speaking to Citi News after the mid-year budget review by the Finance Minister, Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa said that President Nana Akufo-Addo’s huge government size of 110 ministers and 998 Presidential staffers is affecting the economic output of the country negatively.
He argued that the size overrides that of other countries with huge population compared to Ghana.
“We don’t need 110 ministers; we don’t need thousands of Presidential staffers, so you are not leading by example. Who hasn’t complained about this? From the clergy to civil society.” he queried.
“If you take countries that have a population over a 100 million from India, to China to the United States they don’t have up to 40 ministers, yet we have 110. One would have thought that after appointing 110 ministers, you will have the lowest Presidential staffers ever.”
The former deputy Minister of Education also accused the government of supervising over what he terms as ‘weak systems’ in the public agencies.
He said the recent Auditor General reports that cited the loss of huge sums is further proof that government is overseeing irregularities and corruption in the country.
Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa also expressed his disappointment at the inability of the Finance Minister to address issues relating to the ‘falling currency’.
He said issues of unstable currency is a major concern to Ghanaian businesses that must be addressed with all urgency.
“We didn’t hear very clear attempts to address the falling currency. That is a major concern to Ghanaians. It affects everything; general increases in goods and services; businesses are complaining.”