Politics of Friday, 8 August 2014

Source: peacefmonline.com

Swallow your pride; admit to harsh conditions - Atik tells Mahama

Policy Analyst of the People's National Convention, Atik Mohammed has fired salvoes at the current administration for their blatant denials of the current conditions of Ghanaians.

Speaking during a panel discussion programme on Peace FM's Kokrokoo programme, Atik Mohammed called on the Mahama government to swallow their pride and admit that Ghana is facing harsh economic challenges.

According to him, this has informed the decision of the Government of Ghana to seek support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Addressing the issue, he noted that the government would not resort to the IMF for what several political figures, especially the opposition bench; claim is a "bailout" from the IMF if the country were not faced with any economic challenges.

Atik Mohammed opined that the government is seeking help from the IMF because Ghanaians cannot cope with the economic hardships confronting them.

He wondered why government officials find it difficult to admit it.

Reacting further to the government's move to the IMF, the PNC Policy Analyst believed the deal will have dire consequences on the survival of Ghanaians.

He recounted that the deal will affect local businesses and the livelihoods of Ghanaians if the government's intent is to seek financial assistance from the IMF.

He therefore advised government to only seek for technical support from the IMF, stating emphatically that "approaching the IMF will cause reduction in our economic growth. Because Ghanaians will lose jobs which will eventually affect their incomes…and when incomes are affected, it is going to have a bearing on domestic private consumption.”

However, the Mahama government, he said, "must admit that we’ve hit the crisis point and that’s why we are going to the IMF.”

“Otherwise, who goes to the IMF seeking financial assistance if times are fairly normal?” he asked.