Prioritise Funding On Public Services--CSOs Charge

Coalitions of Civil Society Organizations in Ghana campaigning under the Action2015 Banner and relevant groups have called on government to step up its commitment and priorities by funding essential public services such as schools and hospitals in the country.

The Members of also urged the Government of Ghana to endeavour to open up its books to the public in all times in order to enhance transparency and accountability in the country.

“Following keenly the discussions of human development and economic injustices around the world,” Mr. Bernard Anabah, the Policy Analyst at the Integrated Social Development Centre [ISODEC], emphasised that, the current global system does not inure to the welfare of the poor in the society and especially in developing countries like Ghana.

According to Mr. Anabah, this undermines national developmental efforts, that large numbers in chronic poverty retards economic growth, threatens social harmony and pulls the society back on the wheels of retrogression.

Speaking to the Punch in an interview at the CSOs Action 2015 Campaign in Accra, he noted that they will be working closely with the Government and other civil society organizations to ensure beneficial redistribution of wealth for a sustainable development.

"Aware of the wealth gap and the positive contribution that the developed world and multinational companies can make to the socio-economic development of people all over the world including those in Ghana.

Concerned about the social and environmental consequences of equality within and between countries Conscious that unless we take positive action, capitalizing on our common interest and the power of the citizens around world under the Action2015 banner."

The Policy Analyst indicated urged that multinationals should be made to pay their fair share of taxes while working with Government to end tax havens and illicit financial flows from Africa.

According to him, the Government of Ghana led by the Minister of Finance will be attending the 3rd Financing for Development conference in Addis Ababa to impress on his colleague leaders to step up their commitment to international development and aid financing.

He therefore added that government must ensure that investments are low carbon and also fight against climate change considering both adaptation and mitigation measures equally as they are taken seriously and funded.

The Coalition of CSOs, in the light of above, has intended to organize a campaign to create public awareness and to influence government decisions for generations of tomorrow.

He hinted that there will be float on Saturday 11^th July starting from Tetteh Quarshie Roundabout and the Accra Mall to create public awareness and rally the world behind this good course.

“Believing that together as a global movement of citizens with a common interest, we can raise our voices today for a better Ghana,” he stated.