The Minority in Parliament has cautioned Ghanaians to brace themselves for more hardship.
Minority leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson warned the deal will bring untoward hardship to Ghanaians, especially the youth.
The concern comes on the back of approval of Ghana’s $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout aimed at reviving the country’s struggling economy.
The approval of the deal has generated excitement among government officials and a section of the populace.
The Minority, however, believes there is no reason for such excitement.
Dr. Ato Forson, in a statement issued on Thursday, May 18, 2023, slammed the Akufo-Addo-led government for failing to seek the bailout on time.
“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government’s continuous denial over the true state of Ghana’s economy, and their strenuous attempts to shift responsibility and blame external factors have been clear from day one. Despite all the manipulations of the data to hide the true state of the economy, the real situation on the ground has no doubt subsequently compelled them to arrive at the doorsteps of the IMF like a patient in an emergency ambulance, desperate for immediate resuscitation.”
Dr Forson also added the government as part of the conditionalities of the deal agreed to increase utility tariffs every quarter.
“Suffice it to say, that the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government, as part of their proposal to the IMF to secure this deal, has agreed to increase utility tariffs every three months from last year. So far, since September 2022, electricity tariffs have gone up by a cumulative figure of 75.32% (27% in September 2022, 29.96% in the last quarter of 2022, and 18.36% a few days ago).”
“Let us brace ourselves for the full consequences of this IMF deal, which will, without doubt, bite hard on Ghanaians, especially the youth. This is not a counsel of despair, but a reality that will soon dawn on all of us.”
