Ghana is certainly at the crossroads. That is a fact that we must all admit as a nation, in eliciting the support and sympathy of ordinary citizens who are confronted with critical and cringing bread and butter issues.
While our political communicators understandably continue to make noise about the extent or otherwise of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the real conversation today is about how Ghana can sail safely through the oncoming IMF programme and rebound.
So far, the proposals from the experts on the way forward, fortunately for government, fit into what we may have already known, but overlooked, including cutting down on appointees, downsizing or merging certain MMDAs and abolishing perks such as gratuities in economising resources.
But, we must still commend the government for gathering courage and taking the decision to enrol onto the programme. At least, it helps cut the politics in political expenditures, and enhances focus on implementation of programmes that support productivity and boosts social protection.
Additionally, it facilitates prudent use of resources, particularly in the procurement and infrastructure development sectors.
More importantly, the Daily Statesman believes it will also embolden government, probably, for the first time in our national history, to deal with persons and institutions and acts of criminality associated with our annual audit reports, in living out the healthy “prudent use of resources” chorus.
Role of the Legislature
Without a shred of doubt, it is the Legislature which has the ultimate responsibility in ensuring that this IMF programme we will be enrolling onto delivers the goals that will, in turn, deliver a rebound.
Unfortunately, it was that same Legislature that bastardised a basic programme and policy to improve revenue generation, though any decent citizen must know that no state remains healthy without taxes.
The worry of most citizens, as embark on this journey, is whether Parliament will be bipartisan and patriotic enough to support the roadmap and ultimate implementation of specific country programmes to be agreed upon and rolled out.
That fear emanates from how the implementation of the E-Levy policy was frustrated, after all the engagements and advocacy. But, having collectively learnt our lessons, it is the conviction of the Daily Statesman that both sides of the Legislature will put Ghana and the people first.
Irrevocable fact
As a part of civil society, we would admit that prudent use of resources is key in responsible governance. At least, the revelations from the Annual Audit Reports affirm that. The truth is that the challenge, over the years, have been more institutional than we can blame on the Executive in any period of our history.
That, of course, does not mean the Executive cannot be part of the blame as leaders and managers of the economy. Whatever the arguments are, the million dollar question is how we survive the ravages of the twin ‘evil’ of Covid-19 and Russian-Ukraine conflict.
Collective effort
That means a conscious and deliberate effort by our Members of Parliament, as our representatives and honourable citizens, to carry out their mandate to ensure that the programme truly puts Ghana and Ghanaians first.
But that is also the responsibility of the Council of State to make the expert and judicious inputs that make their existence relevant.
It is a family crisis, and the family heads must avail themselves to show leadership if they have anything to offer the country.
From businesses and social workers through state and non-state institutions to traditional and religious bodies, all segments of the population need to devise strategies to stay afloat in re-brightening our small corners.
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