Frank Annoh-Dompreh
A STATEMENT made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, on the need for all Ghanaians to support President Akufo-Addo’s vision of ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ generated passionate debate on the floor of parliament yesterday.
The Nsawam/Adoagyiri MP, who is also the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, said the President’s call would be anchored on patriotism, industrialization and the need to add value to our resources like cocoa, gold and timber, adding that we must build a strong economy capable of making the ordinary Ghanaian have the belief that by dint of hard work and commitment, Ghana can live beyond aid and donor support.
“A successful economic development strategy must focus on improving the skills of the workforce, reducing the cost of doing business and making available the needed resources for business to compete and take its rightful place in the global economy,” he emphasized.
According to the MP, Ghana is currently pursuing aggressive economic development through the leadership of President Akufo-Addo and that everyone must put their shoulders to the wheel.
“One District, One Factory; One Village, One Dam; free education and tax cuts are all components that culminate to enrich the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ vision and we must be self-sufficient and self-reliant”, he stressed.
The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, said that the minority in parliament was prepared to give its full support to the President in growing Ghana beyond aid if the President could unite the nation and also pursue politics of inclusion and eschew partisanship in matters of extreme national importance.
He said it was also important for the President to have constant engagement with the people and implore them to contribute their efforts to the development of the nation.
He, however , said that the country’s march towards ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ would depend largely on the nation’s ability to maximize revenue mobilization, incentivize the private sector, promote private partnership and depend less on foreign loans, adding that the current situation where all budgetary allocations to all the ministries are donor-driven is very much worrying.
He, therefore, said he would be happy if President Akufo-Addo achieves ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ under his tenure through pragmatic policies.
The MP for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, said personally he was very happy when the President made his inspiring speech on ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ during the Independence celebration but said that by the actions of the President, he doubts whether the President is very serious with his words.
He expressed the hope that the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ mantra would not be a mere rhetoric; instead concrete actions must be taken, especially in the agricultural sector, by taking advantage of the continental free trade area to add value to the nation’s resources.
The MP for Sefwi Wiawso and the Western Regional Minister, Kwaku Afriyie said ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ must start from the individual Ghanaian. Every individual will have to be encouraged to work and feed his family without depending on anyone for support or assistance.
“Ghanaians have the habit of depending on the government for everything and it is time we all resolved to be independent economically,” he asserted.
By Thomas Fosu Jnr