There are varied impressions about the economy. While the experts at the helm continue to give thumbs-up for the journey so far and that is what matters, those in opposition think otherwise.
Sadly, joining the opposition propagandists are a few clergymen with association with the previous political order but now confined to the other side of the aisle.
It is instructive that those who think the economy is suffering a downward spiral are unable to adduce a scientifically acceptable argument for their stance. Their usual media showings do not point at economic indicators and are, therefore, unconvincing.
While we continue to hear them in the media in their bid to be seen as giving support to their former providers of financial support — the donations originating from corrupt sources and even the state kitty — their frustration is understandable not appreciated though.
Today, such handouts are no longer forthcoming. Of course, under such circumstances, the ‘Men of God’ would not mind putting their integrity on the line in a useless defence of the previous order under the guise of comparing Ghana today with yesterday.
Conclusions about situations are best done in comparison with previous realities. Managers of the economy have been able to paint a picture of yesterday supported by statistics which, of course, are beyond the comprehension of novices of the rather complex world of macro-economics.
Be it as it may, today’s picture is available for perusal and as a major premise for a sound conclusion on the health of the economy. The goodness or even health of an economy is not measured by the volume of monies doled out to pro-government collared ministers singing hallelujah even as members of the congregation struggle to pay their tithes because of a non-existing free SHS scheme.
Today, the financial sector has been injected with a bitter pill so it would recover from the contagion of mismanagement, the response to which treatment is being evidenced. Mushroomed savings and loans establishments and even banks licensed in breach of standards have expectedly been weeded out.
The financial anarchy which greeted the management of this aspect of the economy left us with an assortment of challenges whose fallouts were far-reaching.
Sometimes when, as part of the propaganda project of the opposition their friends in various parts of life including the clergy, certain pronouncements are made as a means of expressing gratitude for ‘the good old days’, we are constrained to berate these shows of hypocrisy and ungodly remarks from the pulpits.
For a country which was so ripped off by a mismanagement of its economy to the extent that the economic indicators pointed in the direction of ‘distress’, we are at our wits end why those who profess to be shepherding God’s flock would stoop so low as to churn out support for bad governance.
In matters bordering on the economy and even good governance, we would ask that persons holding positions which traditionally command reverence such as the clergy should do well to avoid descending into the gutter of local partisan politics. This way they would be spared the acerbic tongues reserved for bad politicians.