The Minster for Employment and Labour Relations and the Member of Parliament for the Tamale South Constituency, Haruna Iddrisu, has debunked allegations by the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, that Ghana is a debt distress country.
The Minister, who revealed that debt to GDP in Ghana is coming down, challenged the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana to come clear with his assumptions and conclusions on the economy.
Addressing thousands of party supporters, who had thronged the Walewale Football Park for the campaign launch of the parliamentary nominee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Walewale Constituency, Abdulah Abubakari, Haruna Iddrisu insisted that the economist acknowledges assets whenever he is speaking about liabilities.
“In as much as I respect Dr Bawumia as an economist of good standing, I fundamentally disagree with his assumptions and conclusions on the economy. Ghana is not a debt distress country, debt to GDP is coming down, when you talk about liabilities, you must also acknowledge assets we borrow to build robust infrastructure”.
He disclosed that the credibility of Dr Bawumia will be in limbo if he continues his trend of analysing the economy.
The Member of Parliament also called on the New Patriotic Party to rescind its decision of questioning the National Democratic Congress on how realistic their policies are, stating “the New Patriotic Party questioned the National Democratic Congress and President Mahama on how feasible it was to build 200 Senior High School within the period of four to eight years but have promised to build 600 Senior High Schools within same period”.
“Again, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said 48 per cent of Ghanaian youth are unemployed, that is non prove existence and we do not agree with him”.
He has therefore called on the economist to come clear on that as well.
Haruna Iddrisu, who is seeking a third-term in his own constituency, revealed that president has directed the Employment Ministry to increase youth employment to 400,000 within the next three months and this said will not only increase the employment status of Ghana but will offer jobs to the teeming youth.
The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Murtala Mohammed, addressing the frenzy crowd, argued that electorates in the Walewale Constituency are not interested in economic figures but will vote based on the life changing moments.
“Tell Dr Bawumia that economic features do not build schools, construct roads and provide electricity. What the people of Walewale know is that they were without good roads and now they have and that will inform their voting”.
By Zubaida Ismail|3news.com|Ghana