#FixTheCountry: Be patient with us, things will be better – John Kumah
A Deputy Finance Minister nominee has called on the unhappy Ghanaians championing the #FixTheCountry protest to give government more time as it works to make the living standards in the country better.
John Ampontuah Kumah on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Monday stated that the Akufo-Addo-led government is poised to fast-track policies to improve the livelihoods of citizens.
Citing Singapore, he stated that the Singaporeans were patient with their first leader, Lee Kuan Yew, who was at the helmed of affairs for 30 years to help the country secure a seat amongst the first-class countries.
Thus, the former Chief Executive Officer of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) quizzed, “Will Ghana be patient enough to allow in our particular democracy for a particular government to stay in power for that long?”
“The democracy we compare to some are over 200 and 300 years, so if only we will be patient in 30 years [things will be better]. We are not the best, but I can tell you that we are one of the best if you come to our continent and our regional peers.
“Even though our best is not enough. That is why Finance Minister said that he commends #FixTheCountry campaigners for asking for more from the government,” he stated.
Adding that, “There is more room for improvement, government is prepared to do more and so let us dialogue, let’s be specific on what things we can do together.”
Meanwhile, a convener of the #FixTheCountry protest, Oliver Barker-Vormawor says government is misinterpreting the demands of agitated Ghanaians if it is only asking protestors to be patient.
According to him, the campaign highlights the failure of successive governments to improve the citizenry’s lives.
He indicated that the inadequacies such as rising youth unemployment, inefficient health systems, the skyrocketing cost of rent, poor road networks, and corruption have worsened despite promises by prospective leaders to solve these issues.
In his view, the #FixTheCountry protest aims to drum home the deteriorating state of the nation and for rigorous action to be taken immediately.
But Mr Kumah in his response asked the campaigners to be specific in their demands of government.
This, in his view, the inadequacies when highlighted will inform government on how to find resolution to them.
“I always say that, if you are not specific, you will condemn every effort that we have done, but when you are specific, you will realise that if this is the yardstick of bringing free education to every Ghanaian, then indeed even if not 100% there has been a dramatic improvement.
“So we cannot totally say that all the promises that have been delivered has failed,” he added.
#FixTheCountry has been topping social media trends for a week now.
Social media users, largely the youth, in their posts have been highlighting some of these inadequacies.
Despite efforts by government including the Nation Builders’ Corp (NABCO), National Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP) and other commitments towards investing in the growing human capital, some Twitter users say the impact is not felt on the ground.
Dominant in the sentiments shared on Twitter are rising youth unemployment, dilapidated health system, skyrocketing home-renting structure, poor road networks among others.
Coupled with corruption, erratic power, and water supply, the users say the development has compounded their challenges and made life difficult for the average young Ghanaian to make a decent living.
MyJoyOnline