NPP has enhancd lives of Ghanaians - Akufo-Addo

Page 16, 30/11/07
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa South, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, yesterday told Parliament that the first phase of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration had seen a significant enhancement of the lives of Ghanaians.
“Mr Speaker it is unfortunate for people to say that the stability of the macro-economy is not essential,” he said, adding that the stability of macro-economic environment presented the country an opportunity to achieve its aim of reaching a middle-level status.
Nana Akufo-Addo was contributing to the debate on the 2008 economic policy and budget of the government, which is currently going on in Parliament.
The MP, who is one of the eight ministers who resigned their positions to contest the flag-bearer slot of the party, commended the Minister of Finance and Economy Planning, Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, and his economic team for the prudent management of the economy.
He said that the over subscription of the euro bond had indicated the trust that the international community had in the country’s economy.
“Mr Speaker, by the issuance of the bond, the country has freed itself from the clutches of the International Monetary Fund and can source capital besides the Bretton Woods institutions for its development programmes.”
Nana Akufo-Addo, however, advised the ministry to use the amount which accrued from the bond prudently so that more funds could be raised for development projects.
The MP also touched on the construction of the Bui Dam and said that its completion would quicken the pace of development, particularly in the Northern part of the country.
He said nobody could dispute the fact that Ghanaians were the best judges of the performance of the NPP administration.
He cautioned members of the NDC to refrain from inflammatory pronouncements that would mar the conduct of the 2008 elections.
For his part, the MP for Amenfi East, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, said the economy was on the good path, since the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had registered consistent growth since the NPP assumed power.
He attributed the situation to the prudent manner in which the country was being managed.
“Mr Speaker, even though in the hearts of the Minority members they acknowledge the good work of the NPP, it is difficult for them to accept the fact and say it with their lips,” he said.
Mr Aidoo stated that the establishment of the Northern Development Fund with a ¢250 billion seed fund was one of the important landmarks of the budget.
The MP, however, expressed worry about the poor nature of road network in the Western Region, which produce the bulk of the country’s cash crops and minerals.
He, therefore, proposed a strategic road fund for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads in the area to enable the people to benefit from them.
When the MP for Bawku Central, Mr Mahama Ayariga, took his turn, he asserted that after seven years the NPP administration had not been able to change the structure of the economy.
“Mr Speaker, it is crystal clear that we are still importing our basic needs and exporting raw materials,” he said.
Mr Ayariga said though the government continued to talk about the growth of the economy, such growth only benefited a small segment of the society.
He explained that the agriculture sector continued to witness decline in growth thereby making peasant farmers poorer.