General News of Sunday, 16 March 2003

Source: Chronicle

CPP Laments Over National Economy

THE ACTING Greater Accra Regional Organiser of the Convention People's Party, Mr. Edwin Haywood Dadzie has stated that Ghana's economy cannot grow since it is a mass receiver of foreign goods and believes in the buying and selling of goods for short time profit.

He explained that since the government is a capitalist , it looks out for the interest of the people and strengthens it to develop the country.

In an interview with the Chronicle, he said in order for the country to grow economically, it must develop the industries, manufacture and train more manpower.

He also advised that it puts up viable state-owned industries to create hands for the employed and make things competitive for the employers to work harder.

A target, he said has to be set for the employers to achieve in order to meet the working standards of the industries.

On the issue of the golden age of business, he hinted that it cannot be achieved when businesses are collapsing and people resorting to buying and selling to make short time profit.

He also said it cannot be successful when civil servants are not working hard and are pilfering government's materials.

According to him, the government has lost focus on the HIPC funds since it has come to help the elite in society, and not to build more industries in the communities to employ those who are not working in the communities.

The monies, he said that generated from the HIPC relief can be used to rehabilitate some of the state owned properties like the Nsawam Cannery to provide employment for the community.

When asked whether government can stabilize the cedi such that it meets the dollar, he noted that it is building mountains out of molehills since the county's level of production is low and does not produce things by itself.

He said there is inflation, and efforts to stabilize the cedi has not been successful . 'It is a mirage for anyone to say government can reduce inflation', he underscored.

Touching on the poverty reduction strategy, he noted that Ghanaians are poor and any system of reducing poverty in the society must aim at bringing out comprehensive programmes that will help reduce poverty in the country.

He criticized government of giving monies to people to reduce poverty and advised that it groups people based on their interest and give them tools to work to make money for themselves.

Asked whether Ghana has lost credibility for not getting the IFC loan, he said it has not lost its credibility but it did not look for the money at the right place .