Macro-economic glorification is enough - Pianim
Accra, Sept. 20, GNA - Mr Kwame Pianim, an Economist on Wednesday urged government to move from glorifying macro-economic stability achievements to issues that would place the economy on a higher trajectory of economic growth and development.

He said, "Macro-economic stability is good and it has cleared the field, what we need to do now is to plant the seed to grow and then we can enjoy.

"We have run out of excuses, we have to move now but the only obstacle facing us is business as usual," Mr Pianim said when making a presentation on "Energy and the Private Sector" at a two-day workshop at Akosombo on the draft National Energy Policy.

Participants attending the workshop include, the Volta River Authority, Electricity Company of Ghana, Atomic Energy Commission, Chamber of Mines, Ghana Consumers Association, Tema Oil Refinery, Association of Ghana Industries, Environmental Protection Agency, National Petroleum Authority and organized labour. The workshop was to produce the final draft on energy policy for Cabinet's approval.

Mr Pianim said the problem that had bedevilled the country was that "Those who knew the truth and the right thing to do, did not talk where as those who didn't know do the talking."

He noted that technocrats had to be truthful to the politicians and be prepared to take full responsibility for their actions. "We need men of courage and integrity to man our public sectors because we want to develop now," he added.

On energy development, he said phrases such as "pro-poor and lifeline" dovetailed in government policies, especially towards provision of energy services did not help the nation to develop. Mr Pianim said policies such those meant to cushion the poor were rather detrimental because they did not promote efficiency and as a result could not ensure sustainable provision of energy for the country.

"We always say enhancing electricity to the poor that is what had always killed us. How many people have access to electricity and why should we always talk about lifeline because somebody from Europe says that we should look after the poor.

"The only way the poor can have access to energy is to expand energy resources, usage and provision of infrastructure.

"After 50 years of independence we have enough human resources to run our own energy sector but we should bear in mind that we don't need to do this with donor resources, we have to rely on private sector money," he said.

Mr Pianim argued that paying the right price for energy services was the only thing that would attract the private sector to ensure efficient and sustainable supply of energy in the country. Explaining the rational for the workshop, Mr Joseph Adda, Minister of Energy, said it was to fashion-out government's policy instrument that would help formulate short to long-term strategies to deliver adequate and reliable energy services.

He said there was the need for various stakeholders to review the draft, make an input and refined it before, it was finally adopted for implementation.
On the ongoing power rationing, Mr Adda said the situation would soon be reviewed.
"Government is aware that most Ghanaians are going through difficulty because of the problem but we will do our best to ensure that we get what we need to improve the situation," he said.