Majority of Ghanaians want SADA, GYEEDA, MASLOC scrapped – IMANI survey

A survey by policy think-tank IMANI Ghana says some Ghanaians are dissatisfied with the operation of some poverty-alleviating agencies set-up by government.

The research found that a majority of Ghanaians want the Savannah Development Authority (SADA), Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) as well as the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) completely dissolved.

These institutions, the respondents believe government has sunk millions of taxpayers’ money into could have been used to improve the lives of poor Ghanaians.

Instead, they want the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), government’s access to education policy and school feeding program to be continued.

Speaking at a forum to launch the report, Senior Research Fellow at IMANI Africa, Selorm Branttie said most Ghanaians want government to reduce its expenditure.

The issue of government expenditure featured prominently with a majority of respondents insisting this must be checked.

The respondents in the survey, which was conducted in all the 10 regions of Ghana, want the next government to focus on cutting expenditure and reducing debt levels in the country.

A total of 10,020 respondents drawn from across the country were sampled for the survey.

The survey sought to weigh the level of interest of prospective voters on matters of national importance and to highlight which issues Ghanaian voters are passionate or care most about.

Also, the survey was to determine if there are patterns among common interests and if there are any trends of note across the country with regards to issues.

Lastly, it was to estimate whether the weight of an issue can tilt higher voter responses in a particular direction.

The researchers identified residents in two key towns in every region across the country and asked them to choose the most important issue they want government to address in the lead up to the December polls.

On the issue of government spending, residents in the Ashanti Region said they want government to retrieve money from people who have allegedly been implicated in financial malfeasance.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | AKABP