October 13, 2010

The Member of Parliament for Bosomtwi, Simon Osei Mensah has attributed the increased labor unrest in the country to the decision of the ruling government not to spend.

He believes the government is not willing to review upwards the conditions of service for striking groups as that will amount to spending which will violate the directives of the IMF and World Bank that requires government to cut its expenditure.

The country in the past few weeks has witnessed a number of strike actions from interest groups, the latest being the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Polytechnic Teachers Association of Ghana( POTAG) who embarked on the exercise to press home their demand for the review of their conditions of service.

POTAG is aggrieved that government through the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission has failed to negotiate their conditions of service that expired in 2008.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Oman FM today, the Member of Parliament for Bosomtwi, Simon Osei, stated that it was important the government immediately begins to find other sustainable sources to fund the economy other than the IMF and World Bank, whose conditions have over the years had adverse effect on the economy.

‘’ it’s about time our governments wean themselves off the dependence on the Bretton Woods institutions who conditions have been harsh,’’ he said.

He added that the over- reliance on the oil proceeds which is yet to be accrued is worrying and urged government to venture into other schemes such as going to the capital market like the NPP did with the 750 million Euro bond which was very successful.

Story by : Kwadwo Anim/ghanamps.gov.gh