By Angela Ayimbire
Tema, Nov. 10, GNA – The People’s National Convention (PNC) has outlined measures that will steer the nation out of the current economic crisis and called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo to critically consider the measures.
The party also acknowledged the difficulties Ghanaians were going through, stressing that the PNC Economic Recovery Measures formed part of the party’s contribution toward resolving the economic crisis from a broad base level and helping solve the economic hardship that has bedevilled the country.
Ms Janet Nabla, the PNC General Secretary in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tema on Wednesday stated that the party shared in the pain of the Ghanaians due to the unprecedented increase in petroleum prices and the free-fall of the Ghana Cedi.
The party, therefore, recommended that the government should take charge of the importation and pricing of petroleum products to ensure prices were affordable to the ordinary Ghanaian.
“The government must fast-track the operationalisation of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and other refineries under construction to help permanently bring fuel prices under control.
“The PNC also suggests to the government to leverage on the Buffer Stock Company to buy and promote local rice from the producers while regulating the amount of rice imported into the country,” the statement said.
They emphasised that if the government guaranteed local rice producers of a good market for their produce, they would be encouraged to up-scale their production and thereby lead to self-reliance in the production of rice, stressing “this should be replicated in the production of other foodstuffs.”
The PNC also admonished the government to work in earnest to revamp the operations of the Metro Mass Transport and other Public Transport Agencies within three months to minimise the rising cost of transportation especially within the cities, as well as offer free ride to school-going children and the elderly.
“Mini-buses should be added in their fleet of vehicles to augment the already existing ‘trotro’, a form of private commercial public transport, and help serve as a check on their charges,” it stated.
“We would like the government to enforce the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 723) which prohibits pricing, advertising, and receipt or payment for goods and services in foreign currency in Ghana.
“The sole legal tender in Ghana is the Ghana Cedi and Ghana Pesewa therefore, those in violation of this act should be severely punished to serve as a deterrent,” the PNC stated.
While commending the government on the 30 per cent salary cut of its appointees, the PNC recommended that the government cut down on the number of appointees and put the remaining ones on full salary to motivate them to meet performance expectations.
“This singular act will bring back the credibility and the trust the government needs from Ghanaians,” they noted.
The PNC also called on all Ghanaians to remain resolute and optimistic in these difficult times.
GNA