Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, has dismissed claims that the recent appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi is due to prudent economic management.
Speaking on Starr Chat with host Bola Ray monitored by Kumasimail, Shaib said he does not believe anything new has been done to stabilize the currency.
Shaib expressed deep concern over what he described as the ‘politicization of everything’ in the country.
“We are actually currently politicizing the stability of the dollar, we are politicizing appointments,” he said.
According to him, this trend undermines genuine discussion about Ghana’s economic realities.
When asked if he would commend the government for the cedi’s strengthening to around 12 cedis per US dollar, he replied, “No, not necessary. There has been good reserve over the period and some management plans by the previous government, but I do not think anything new has been done.”
He pointed out that many contractors remain unpaid.
He said “What hasn’t been done is that a lot of contractors have not been paid so there’s no money in the system.
He dismissed the idea that the cedi’s stability is mainly due to sound economic policies, pointing instead to external factors.
“The China-US trade war has been a major reason for all of this,” he explained.
“Because they are in government, you will give them the credit, but it’s too early to say”, he added.
Despite his criticisms, Shaib’s message was not one of opposition for the sake of opposition.
When asked if he wished the government well, he responded with heartfelt sincerity “One million percent! I pay school fees, so I want the government to do well.”
Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
