Job losses, policy reversals expose flaws in economic dialogue – Oppong Nkrumah
The Member of Parliament for Ofoase Ayirebi, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has criticized the government’s National Economic Dialogue, arguing that its call for economic continuity is at odds with recent policy decisions.
His concerns follow the suspension of the Gold-for-Oil programme, an initiative aimed at stabilizing fuel prices and reducing reliance on foreign exchange.
The suspension was announced by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Dr. Johnson Asiama, on March 3. Additionally, the revocation of appointments and recruitment made after the December 7 election in various public sectors has raised further concerns.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday, March 3, Oppong Nkrumah questioned the rationale behind the conference when key economic projects are being abandoned.
He described the Gold-for-Oil programme as a crucial intervention in stabilizing the cedi and criticized the government for terminating initiatives that contributed to economic stability.
Oppong Nkrumah also condemned widespread job losses under the current administration, stating that thousands have been dismissed without any prior dialogue.
He further questioned the government’s sincerity in its commitment to economic stability, asserting that its actions directly contradict the objectives outlined in the National Economic Dialogue.
“This administration has come to power and started by truncating some of the things that are helping us get on the economic path. The Gold For Oil programme which has been suspended was one of the major programmes helping us to shore up our currency. So if the same government is going for a conference that is asking for continuity in economic programmes and that same government is cancelling economic programmes, then what are we going to get out of this conference?
“There are thousands of people who have been sacked from their work without any discourse. If a government is staged for a conference talking about continuity in economic programmes, and at the same time they are truncating the jobs of other people, then you ask yourself where we are going with this conference.
“If you have a project that is talking about continuity of the economic programme and at the same time is cancelling and truncating, then where are we going with the conference,” he asked.
