Politics of Monday, 11 July 2005

Source: GNA

Politicians told to see good in Ghana's debt relief

Akrokerri (Ash), July 11, GNA - Politicians, especially those in the minority have been called upon to avoid giving their own meaning to the recent cancellation of the nation's debt by donor countries, but rather see the good side of it.

Nana Kwadwo Domfeh, a retired Plant Superintendent of AngloGold Ashanti and a seasoned politician, who made the call during an interaction with the press at Akrokerri on Tuesday, stressed, "there is the need for our politicians, especially those in opposition to see the good in the 4.1-billion-dollar debt cancellation by our donors". He said whatever reasons the politicians would assign to the debt cancellation, the fact remained that the country had been relieved of the burden of debt servicing.

"The debt cancellation is a big relief to the country's economy, since the money, which would have been used to service the debts could now be channelled into development projects", he said.

Nana Domfeh, a staunch New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, observed that the country had benefited from the debt relief principally, due to the good governance being demonstrated by the government. He noted that what was left was for Ghanaians to take inspiration from the goodwill those rich countries had extended to the nation and work harder to improve the economy.

"The debt cancellation should encourage Ghanaians to work harder to improve the economy, since with an improved economy, the government will not be forced to go for foreign loans and grants", he said. Nana Domfeh said the country was still poor, which called for hard work and sincerity in managing the economy, stressing, "Anybody, who thinks Ghana is not poor is day-dreaming".

The NPP activist advised Ghanaians to defend the country's democracy, since the military governments compounded the poor state.