NPP operating 'Apampamu store' economy, says Jomoro MP

The National Democratic Congress MP for Jomoro, Lee Ocran has described the 2008 budget as "hwe nea wo aye yen budget” to wit “see where you've brought us budget,” insisting that it cannot be called 'a brighter future budget' when it does not meet the hopes and aspirations of the people.

According to him, the Kufuor administration is operating an “Apampamu store” economy. “It is only people who operate that kind of economy who push all price increments to their buyers, for instance all fuel increases on the world economy as well as huge taxes on fuel are pushed unto the poor Ghanaian consumer. If this is not an Apampamu store system of economy, then I don't know what it is.”

Mr Ocran was taking his turn during the continuation of the debate on the budget and financial statement of government for 2008 which was presented by Finance Minister Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu on November 15.

He opined that no road contract was captured in the budget because most contractors who worked for the government in the past year have not yet been paid, thus there is no point in listing a litany of roads to be constructed when already built ones have not been paid for.

But Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu rebuffed the claim saying, all contractors who worked for the government have been paid. He however indicated some payments are in arrears because some ministries over awarded contracts.

The Jomoro MP stated that, despite the introduction and successes chalked by the National Health Insurance Scheme, life expectancy and child mortality rates have “drastically” reduced due to the “harsh conditions” prevailing in the country.

He also asserted that, the quality of education has also decreased although the number of school going children has increased. “Mr Speaker, with this and other pressing issues prevailing in the country, the budget cannot be said to be of a brighter future”.

In her contribution, Eugenia Oppong-Kusi, (NPP, Tarkwa Nsuaem) praised the government for its efforts in improving the energy sector, saying that, never again will the nation sleep in darkness with the kind of investments that have been made in that sector.

“Mr Speaker, if Ghana is to become a middle income country, then it will depend on how vibrant its energy policy is, and it is in this direction that I want to commend government for taking bold steps in that direction,” said she.

Alhassan Yakubu Mohammed (NDC, Mion) called on government to take agric seriously since it contributes about 60 percent of GDP growth. He commended the Youth in Agrobusiness concept captured in the budget.

He however cautioned government not to abandon existing projects like Cotton, Shea nuts and other agriculture initiatives that were mentioned in previous budgets but were abandoned a few years into their implementations.

Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment, Nana Akomea, in his contribution said, though a lot of successes have been chalked by this government, there are some challenges because population growth continues to outpace economic growth but government will endeavour to introduce and pursue pragmatic policies to cushion Ghanaians against hardships.

The debate continues tomorrow.

By Cynthia Boakye