Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has claimed the John Mahama-led government in the last five months has done nothing but just speaking English.
According to him, the recent appreciation of the cedi should not be a cause for celebration, if it does not translate into job creation and improved living standards.
Richard Ahiagbah called for the application of policies that drive real economic growth and create employment opportunities for Ghanaians.
Speaking on Good Morning Ghana, “Mahama’s government in five months is just speaking English and has not done anything yet. If the cedi appreciates but there are no jobs to feel the impact it in our pockets, then it’s nothing,” he said.
“I want to see a growth-led policy that will yield results. They have not proven anything yet,” Ahiagbah added.
He further argued that Ghana does not need a cedi appreciation but sustainable employment for our people.
According to Richard Ahiagbah, what Ghana needs now is not the strengthening of the cedi but sustainable employment for our people.
He further claimed that a weak cedi would be better for John Mahama’s flagship program the 24-hour economy.
Richard Ahiagbah detailed, “This whole celebration of the exchange rate and the cedi strengthening is actually toward an import-dependent economy, one of the biggest problems between the US and China is largely because China manipulates its currency which is the claim the US are making against China to make it weak so that it export to America are cheaper.
So, what is our strategy if as a government your idea is a 24-hour economy a weak currency is actually better for you so you can drive export? If you have a strong cedi your import will be expensive so what is the policy alignment there what are they celebrating?
If your goal is to drive export, and your currency is strengthening, UK the reason their currency is strong forever is because they are import dependent, it is cheaper for them to import than to export”.
The NPP Director of Communications further claimed the Mahama government is shifting focus from their original plan for the 24-hour economy being production-led but to a mere skirmishers passport office operating three or four shifts.
He further added, “You need jobs for the people, his excellency John Mahama you promised you want to do 24-hour economy which must be production-led if we think about it properly, these skirmishers about the passport office operating three or four shifts I don’t get it, that is not what you promised.
We are looking for a 24-hour economy which is production-led where is that one, so when your currency strong you are weakening your position. This whole thing we are jumping and celebrating what is the long-term picture, what are they trying to achieve.
“What Ghana needs now is not the strengthening of the cedi we need sustainably to get employment for our people”, Richard Ahiagbah boldly added.
