Former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson says President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo “lied” to Ghanaians about Ghana’s preparedness to fight the fast spread of Coronavirus.
The President, about a week ago, told Ghanaians that “I have ordered the Finance Minister to make available $100m” to fight the virus, when the country had not yet recorded a single case by then.
The amount, according to the President which is to "fund the expansion of infrastructure, purchase of materials and equipment, and public education,” would enable the country deal with the virus.
“I have, as at yesterday, ordered a suspension of all international travels by public officials.
"Except for critical assignments, which will have to be authorised by the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, all public officials are to remain within the jurisdiction, until further notice. Video conferencing facilities and other technological tools are to be utilised, whenever possible, for international engagements,” the president added.
Now, Ghana has confirmed 7 cases with about 350 trace contacts.
$100 COVID-19 Funds Not Ready?
But on Tuesday, March 17th, at the behest of Parliament, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, appeared before the House to brief MPs and Ghanaians on the source of the said funds and how the government intended to fight the virus.
It later turned out that the $100 is not readily available, contrary to the president's speech.
World Bank & IMF Support
In his briefing about the fiscal impact of Covid-19 which has crushed the international capital market, Mr. Ofori-Atta disclosed Ghana has applied to the World Bank to tap into a $12 billion fast track Covid-19 facility and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) $10 billion facilities to address the deadly virus.
“We are currently in discussion with the World Bank to tap into a US$12billion World Bank Group fast track COVID-19 facility to help close the financing gap. In addition, we are discussing with the International Monetary Fund to access part of a US$10 billion facility, made available by the IMF to address coronavirus through the Rapid Credit Facility. We are also discussing with other multilateral and bilateral partners on potential assistance to close the financing gap,” the Finance Minister stated.
"Not Being Truthful"
This according to Cassiel Ato Forson is “wrong” after urging the Nana Addo-led government to be “truthful” to Ghanaians in the future.
“This situation now is not an NPP, NDC issue; it’s a national problem with must all fight together,” he said in an interview with Kwasi Aboagye on NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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@@K The president is not there for empty heads in the ndc. Ghanaians understand him and who cares about the ndc and their mischief? It will befall on you what you want others to get because of your political interest. What would your empty head mahama had done tell us? and stop criticizing people for not being with you,you su*ck your ndc su*cks.Where is the Ebola money that john mahama collected to build Ebola center on a country with no EBOLA? I dont really know who ndc come here to talk to since Ghanaians are not ready to listen to you! Your aggression on matters concerning Ghana for political points wont help you its rather making you more unattractive.
I wonder if this guy listens to himself anytime he talks. I really wonder!! Enpty barrels.
What benefit would you derive from knowing from the president that the money is not readily available? Would you go out and find your own money? Do you not think that what the president says can cause fear and panic? In such times a leader should give confidence and hope rather than create more fear and panic. He was elected to lead and not come and tell us whether there is money or not, his job is to find it. If you don't understand governance take your time to learn and appreciate how it works. The so called backlash is from those seeking to make political capital out of this situation.
anytime these people speak, i wonder how they were able to rule this country for 8yrs. if a deputy finance minister is speaking like this, i wonder what people like Otukunor will say. make available does not mean transfer, if a deputy minister of finance does not know this, then the alternative is empty indeed
Npp this Ndc that, are we serious as a nation? All we need is a healthy life out of this Covid-19 not propaganda
The President asked the Finance Minister"To make available". He did not asked the Finance Minister "to Give". Please let's know the difference between Available and Give. Hmmmmmmmm
You see how politics is dividing and making it difficult for us to think. The president was not truthful with the statement. He should have made us aware that we are hoping to get a share from the world banks money. He should not have made it seem as if the money was readily available. This is why people are attacking him. Because if you have 100 million sitting somewhere waiting for disaster to happen before you use it while the ordinary Ghanaian is suffering then what is the sense. He could have saved himself all this backlash from.people if he had been truthful. I rest my case.
DOES HE UNDERSTAND ALLOCATION?
They hide behind National issues and then at the same time criticizing Government..Do u think this man will even come close to ministerial appointment under Akuffo Addo Government.. Shashatarus...why NDC is this also an issue which requires press conference.. When the virus broke u had the likes of Ablakwa, Sammy Gyamfi and Sam George forcing Government to go and bring his nationals today we are all witnesses to what is happening in Europe...If we follow this small boys they will lead us into destruction.. Their intentions will fail..
Fu.lllish NDC MP talking non.sense.....