While Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling Nation Democratic Congress (NDC) took turns to praise government's progress on the economy, members from the Minority side in Parliament used their turns to school government on policies and programmes that could help move the country forward.
Continuing the debate on the 2016 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government yesterday, the NPP MPs took various turns to expose government's failures in various sectors and also proffered some solutions they believe are best for the country.
Taking his turn to contribute to the ongoing debate on the budget, NPP MP for Berekum East, Dr. Kwabena Twum-Nuamah said government's way of managing the health sector will not improve the health of the people.
Dr. Twum-Nuamah said government's indebtedness to the National Health Insurance Scheme service providers has forced them to return to the “cash and carry” system.
According to him, government has cut the ministry's budgetary allocation for 2016 and this; he noted would affect effective healthcare delivery in the country.
He, however, suggested that for the health sector to improve, government must first clear its arrears to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA); increase the NHIA levy by one per cent and also increase the ministry's budgetary allocation because they cannot rely on internally generated funds.
NPP MP for Nkoranza North, Major (Rtd) Derek Oduro on his part also described the Ministry of Defence as “Ministry of Lack of Funds” because most of their projects across the country have stalled due to lack of funds.
Maj. Oduro noted that plans to establish barracks at Jomoro and Kintampo in the Western and Brong Ahafo Regions respectively have all failed due to lack of funds.
He added that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) also lacks major equipment and weapons for their operations despite having huge sums of money from United Nation's (UN) peacekeeping operations.
The Nkoranza MP further suggested that due to the important role of the 37 Military Hospital in the country, government needs special budget and attention to upgrade and meet the rising demand of its services.
Maj. Oduro also advised government to use funds from UN operations to equip the GAF to help effectively protect the territorial borders of the country.
NPP MP for Atwima-Mponua, Isaac Kwame Asiamah also criticized the Ministry of Youth and Sports saying the ministry is promoting the “culture of impunity” after failing to implement many recommendations meant to sanction officials.
Mr. Asiamah said recommendations by the Justice Dzamefe Commission that some funds be refunded to government by some individuals for their role during the 2014 Brazil World Cup tournament or be surcharged on the former Sector Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has not been implemented.
But, NDC MP for Tano South and Deputy Minister for Agriculture in-charge of livestock, Dr. Louisa Hanna Bissiw on her part praised government's achievements.
Dr. Bissiw said government has supported the poultry industry by training about 350 females in the Northern part of the country and given them over 1,000 birds to start farming.
According to the Deputy Minister, government has also cut down the importation of poultry products by about 40 per cent as a means of promoting the local industry.
She said Ghanaians are experiencing the transformational and visionary leadership skills of President John Mahama with the construction of urban and feeder roads throughout the country.
NDC MP for Damongo, Mutawakilu Adam on his part also said government has variously amended the laws for the oil and gas sector to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of oil resources.
Mr. Adams said government has also used proceeds from the oil sector to rehabilitate over 16 irrigation dams in the country as well as made a lot of capital investment with the oil money.
He stated that by the end of this year, government will add about 1,023 megawatts of power to the national grid to help end the power crisis.
NDC MP for Ho West, Emmanuel Bedzrah also lauded government's performance in the road sector, especially, with projects such as the Kwame Nkrumah Circle interchange and the Kasoa interchange.
Mr. Bedzrah said government is consolidating the progress made so far to achieve the full status of a middle income status country.
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