By Emmanuel Oti Acheampong
Independent Presidential Aspirant, Dr. Sam Ankrah has criticised President Akufo-Addo’s state of the nation’s address, describing it as self-congratulatory and failing to address the pressing economic issues facing ordinary Ghanaians.
In a scathing response to the President’s speech delivered to parliament on Tuesday, Dr. Ankrah highlighted a myriad of weaknesses in the Ghanaian economy that have left the population struggling and poorer than ever before.
State of the Nation Analysis:
Weaknesses:
1. High inflation rate, which has been persistently above the target range of 6-10%.
2. Persistent fiscal deficits, leading to a high public debt burden.
3. Low revenue generation, with tax revenue as a percentage of GDP being lower than
the average for sub-Saharan Africa.
4. High interest rates, which have been above the target range of 8-12% for an extended period.
5. A weakened cedi against major currencies, leading to high import costs and inflationary pressures.
6. Low private sector investment due to a lack of confidence in the economy.
7. High unemployment rate, particularly among the youth.
8. Dependence on aid and loans from international organizations.
9. Inadequate infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and energy facilities.
10. Corruption and lack of transparency in government operations.
11. Inequality in income distribution and access to social services.
12. Low productivity and competitiveness of the domestic private sector.
13. High cost of doing business, leading to low investment and job creation.
14. Persistent energy shortages and power outages.
15. Political instability, with frequent changes in government.
16. Lack of effective coordination between different levels of government.
17. Delayed implementation of policies and projects.
18. Insufficient funding for key sectors such as education, health, and agriculture.
19. Brain drain due to the lack of opportunities for skilled workers in Ghana.
20. Limited access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
21. Inadequate public participation in decision-making processes.
22. Low levels of financial literacy among the general population.
23. Limited use of technology and innovation in key sectors.
24. Weak enforcement of regulations and laws.
25. Persistent gender inequality, with women being underrepresented in key
decision-making positions.
26. Limited access to quality education and healthcare services in rural areas.
27. Environmental degradation due to illegal mining and logging activities.
28. Lack of effective collaboration between the public and private sectors.
29. Weak implementation of anti-corruption measures.
30. Insufficient focus on research and development.
The Independent Presidential Aspirant commended the people of Ghana for their resilience and forbearance in the face of what he described as governmental incompetence.
Dr. Ankrah emphasised the urgent need for systemic change to address these deep-rooted issues and improve the quality of life for all Ghanaians.
He also pledged to focus on centricity and overhaul the existing system to create a better future for the citizens of Ghana.
According to him, with elections 2024 fast approaching, it’s very important that Ghanaians take a very critical look at the pertinent issues and how the Akufo-Addo-led government has approached them and seek out an alternative force to lead the country.
