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Ghana: Osafo Maafo Tells NDC - Don't Play Politics!
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Accra Mail (Accra)
22 May 2008
Posted to the web 22 May 2008
Cephas Larbi
Accra
The former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo , has asked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to stop politicizing the government's decision to outline a major economic policy o deal with increasing food and oil prices.
He said current economic hardships are as a result of increases in international commodity prices and not by the NPP government.
Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo told the ADM that many governments the world over have taken steps to minimize the economic hardships in their respective countries and if the NPP government is taking the same steps the NDC should not complain and play politics with it.
This he said shows that the NPP government is a listening and caring government and will not leave the good people of Ghana to suffer even if there is hardship in the global economy.
Mr. Osafo Maafo said, "Ghana is not an island and it is commonsense that the government of Ghana should do something about the economic crises and the hardship the people are going through."
Though he said the decision of the government to deal with the increasing food and oil prices would have an impact on the forthcoming general elections, it was not the reason why the government is taking steps to mitigate the pains of the global food and fuel price hikes.
Some traders ADM contacted on the government's intended action said they were very happy that the government has finally decided to come to their aid. Aunty Mary who is a market woman told ADM that because of the hardship the country is facing, people are not buying as much as they used to which was giving her and other traders sleepless nights. She said she is very happy to hear that the government is taking action to deal with the situation and hoped that the policies that would be adopted will reduce the burden on them.
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One major policy option being considered by the government is the introduction of subsidies on fuel, fertilizers and staple foods. This might force the prices of major food staples such as rice, maize and wheat, as well as petroleum products, downwards. The president is billed to address the nation tonight in which he would provide details of the mitigating package.
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