Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has urged Ghana to draw inspiration from Kenya’s youth, who have demonstrated that significant reforms can be achieved swiftly, within weeks, without resorting to authoritarian tactics of the Executive or police brutality, unlike the experiences in Ghana.
Franklin Cudjoe observed that the Kenyan President has publicly committed to implementing reforms that Ghanaians have been fervently advocating for, but their requests have been persistently ignored by Ghana’s governments, which have shown a disregard for the people’s concerns.
“Austerity measures announced by Kenyan president Ruto on July 5th include, asking parliament for spending cuts totaling 177 billion shillings ($1.39 billion) for the fiscal year that began this month, the dissolution of 47 state corporations, a 50% reduction in the number of government advisers, the suspension of non-essential travel by public office bearers and the removal of budget lines for the president and deputy president’s spouses”.
“Remember, Kenya’s budget deficit is now projected at 4.6% of gross domestic product in the 2024/25 financial year, up from an earlier estimate of 3.3%. Inflation is 4.6 % and lending rates average 18%, spends a third of its GDP on servicing debts and guess what Covid-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine did not shield Kenyans neither did Kenya get GHS 33bn in free money as Ghana received”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe further pointed out that Ghana has struggled with soaring inflation, peaking at 54% in 2023 and currently standing at 25%, accompanied by exorbitant lending rates averaging 35%.
He criticized the Government for recklessly borrowing, pushing Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio to nearly 100%.
He indicated that this resulted in a severe financial crisis that ravaged citizens’ savings through harsh austerity measures, despite the President’s assurances that such measures would not be necessary.
Franklin Cudjoe emphasized that Ghana’s economic struggles are four times more severe than Kenya’s, with a burdensome array of taxes and levies that are strangling the citizens, exacerbating their financial hardship.
“We continue to fund a very very large government with many state agencies feeding fat on our back-breaking slavery”. – Franklin Cudjoe
Corruption Scandals Rock Ghana’s Government
Franklin Cudjoe further alleged that widespread corruption, including grand theft and fraudulent procurement practices, has plagued Ghana, particularly under the Ministry for Special Initiatives.
He noted that the Ministry for Special Initiatives has been notorious for embezzlement, exemplified by the scandalous construction of dugouts priced at GHS 15,000 but billed to the nation at an inflated cost of GHS 230,000 each.
Franklin Cudjoe cited additional examples of alleged corruption, including the multimillion-dollar SML fraud, the KelniGVG scandal involving $176 million, and the Electoral Commission’s wasteful expenditure of nearly $150 million on biometric voter equipment, among others.
He pointed out that a few years ago, 85% of all procured contracts did not go through the electronic GIFMIS system Ghana has committed to.
He also indicated that a special COVID-19 audit revealed that only 25% of all COVID-19 funds received were allocated to COVID-19-related expenses.
“Do you want us to continue living this way? Recently, the majority leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Kwabena Afenyo-Markin cautioned both politicians and the citizenry when he said, ‘throughout history, frustrations and disillusionment among the masses, including the youth, have led to significant social and political unrest.
The recent Gen Z activism in Kenya serves as a stark warning. To prevent such scenarios in Ghana, it is imperative that the political class collaboratively take proactive and comprehensive measures to address the underlying causes of public discontent. Our preoccupation with political maneuvering should not blind us to the reality of public expectations’”.
Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe encouraged Ghanaians to take action by creating a collective list of demands for positive change, and to mobilize others, including friends, family, youth, and students of all ages, to join in identifying and rejecting harmful practices and policies that have plagued the country.
Franklin Cudjoe encouraged Ghanaians to hold their local leaders, Members of Parliament, and presidential hopefuls accountable by engaging them in discussions about their concerns and demands.
“You can post them on your social media handles. It is the least you can do”. – Franklin Cudjoe
Franklin Cudjoe urged Ghanaians to reflect on their own actions, acknowledging and listing their personal contributions to the country’s problems, such as workplace theft, collusion, neglect, mistreatment of public resources, and other harmful behaviors.
“Commit to doing them no more, and may your God or whatever gives you inspiration and reverence guide you”. – Franklin Cudjoe
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