General News of Thursday, 30 May 2002

Source: Joy Online

Govts Economic "Achievements" Criticised

The Coordinator of the National Economic Dialogue, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, today came under severe criticisms by a section of the public when he appeared on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show to discuss some of the economic achievements of the government. Among the achievements he listed were currency stabilisation, reduction in food prices and the improvement of the business environment.

But most of the callers into the programme expressed skepticisms about these achievements saying they are yet to experience their impact. The callers expressed concern about the rising cost of living, which had made life unbearable. They recounted how ordinary foodstuffs like tomatoes, pepper, yam and others are now selling at exorbitant prices.

A Baker who spoke on behalf of most bakers recounted how her daily average sales of about one million cedis during the NDC regime has dipped to 300,000 cedis or less under the NPP regime.

The callers urged the NPP government to face realities on the ground instead of measuring economic growth with figures. According to them, most businesses are on the brink of collapse.

However, Mr. Asamoah pointed out that although the government has made some remarkable progress in addressing the economic difficulties it will take some time for the impact to be felt.