News:
December 14, 2017
Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu has urged government to provide opportunities for all Ghanaians and not only NPP members as postulated by Ghana’s Ambassador to South Africa, George Ayisi Boateng.
The Tamale South Member of Parliament was not happy about the tagging government coordinated initiatives such as the Akufo Addo for economic transformation which he said does not augur well for national cohesion.
The Tamale South lawmaker urged government to respect the laws of Ghana stating that majoritarian rule cannot usurp the laws of the land in the scheme of things.
He also chided the allocation of huge sums of money to initiatives such as the agriculture insurance, the Ghana Bauxite Authority which do not exist yet and huge allocation to the Presidency.
The leader also chastised government for what he said was government’s description of loans as novelty and asked “since when has borrowing become a novelty” even as the NPP government leverages on the Energy sector levy instituted by the previous NDC government.
He also cautioned government against competing with the private sector as far as corporate tax regime is concerned and downplays the establishment of the Ghana Development Bankas announced in the 2018 budget.
According to him, the establishment of a Development Bank was not necessary since the National Investment Bank (NIB), Agriculture Development Bank (ADB) and the Ghana Infrastructure Fund already exist to facilitate development.
The leader of the Minority in Parliament was not happy about government decision to withdraw money from the National Health Insurance Levy Fund to pay nurses allowance which was a campaign promises even though the fund is distressed with money to perform its primary function of healthcare.
Mr Haruna Iddrisu charged government to pay particular attention to procurement issues which remains a veritable source of corruption in the country whiles urging government to ensure the unification of pensions in the country with specially focus on the Ghana Prisons Service.
He indicated that the NPP government inherited strong economy and institutions and must build on it and endeavour to support the private sector to create the needed jobs.
By Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com