The MP for North Tongu Constituency Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has voiced concerns regarding the recent $134 million Trafigura judgment debt burden that has befallen Ghana. He lamented the government’s recklessness, highlighting the severe consequences for the Ghanaian taxpayer.
Hon. Ablakwa emphasized the magnitude of the debt by equating it to over 2 billion Ghanaian cedis, a sum he believes could have significantly improved the lives of many Ghanaians.
According to Hon. Ablakwa, the enormous judgment debt of over 2 billion Ghanaian cedis, represents a colossal loss of resources that could have been channeled into much-needed public services, such as healthcare.
Hon. Ablakwa pointed out that the financial strain caused by the judgment debt comes at a time when the healthcare sector is grappling with serious challenges.
Health Sector and Government Accountability
Hon. Ablakwa pointed out the ongoing crisis at the dialysis center in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where patients have been left vulnerable due to a lack of resources. Hon. Ablakwa noted that the crisis is so severe that healthcare workers were considering demonstrations to protest the situation. Ablakwa’s frustration with the government’s fiscal irresponsibility was evident as he commented;
‘… There’s still a crisis at the dialysis center in Korle Bu. A few days ago, they were threatening to demonstrate.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu Constituency
Ablakwa’s critique extended beyond just the dialysis center. He shed light on the dire state of healthcare infrastructure across the country. Citing the absence of critical medical equipment in various hospitals, Ablakwa highlighted the need for urgent government intervention.
Hon. Ablakwa recalled that the last major hospital re-equipping program in Ghana took place over a decade ago, during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration in 2011. Hon. Ablakwa expressed disbelief at the lack of follow-up efforts by the current government stating that;
“Indeed, the last time the health minister appeared before the assurances committee; he told us that the last time Ghana carried out a hospital re-equipping program was in 2011 when NDC was in power, can you imagine?”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu Constituency
Hon. Ablakwa’s concerns were not limited to one or two hospitals; he described a national crisis affecting many healthcare institutions.
Hon. Ablakwa revealed that the AKomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi had to turn away dialysis patients because their equipment was failing. Hospitals, even those as prominent as the 37 Military Hospital and Ridge Hospital, were struggling with inadequate imaging machines, such as CT scanners and MRIs.
“…hospitals like 37, Korle Bu, Ridge Hospital, have their imaging machines in disarray. They don’t have them.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu Constituency
Hon. Ablakwa’s frustration was palpable as he questioned the government’s priorities. Hon. Ablakwa reflected on the irony of the situation, where the government is forced to pay massive judgment debts while the healthcare system collapses.
“On a daily basis, you keep hearing of these huge sums of money that the Ghanaian taxpayer will have to cough up.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu Constituency
Hon. Ablakwa argued that the judgment debt is a consequence of the reckless actions of public officials who, when faced with the consequences of their decisions do not bear the burden themselves. Instead, it is the struggling taxpayer who will have to be made to pay.
Hon. Ablakwa also touched on the lack of accountability within the current administration, especially when it comes to dealing with judgment debts.
He criticized the government for failing to hold those responsible to account, particularly when they are closely connected to the president’s family.
“…As has become the case of our justice system, you can only wait for another government to come into power and exact accountability and seek justice.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu Constituency
Hon Ablakwa alluded the situation to a long-standing family feud within the government that has contributed to the problem and expressed his skepticism that the current administration would take any action.
“Don’t expect that there will be any action. It’s only the next NDC government that will exact accountability.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu Constituency
Hon. Ablakwa also highlighted a systemic issue within Ghana’s justice delivery system. According to him, accountability in the country has become a matter of political partisanship he lamented;
“Accountability has now become the accountability of predecessors of political opponents. So, when people think that they have power now, they just conduct themselves with impunity.”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa the MP for North Tongu Constituency
Hon. Ablakwa’s remarks present a damning indictment of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government’s handling of public resources and the healthcare sector.
Hon Ablakwa’s call for accountability and justice resonates as a critique of a system that allows public officials to act recklessly, leaving the burden of their actions on the shoulders of ordinary Ghanaians.
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