Blame NPP For Economic Crisis �Rashid Pelpuo Asserts

Mr. Rashid Pelpuo, the Member of Parliament for Wa Central in the Upper West Region has revealed that, the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is to blame for Ghana�s current economic crisis. Rashid Pelpuo who agreed with the sentiments shared by former President John Rawlings in a discussion over the fallouts of the National Economic Forum stated that, the NPP are as much part of Ghana�s economic problem and should be part of the solution. The NPP boycotted the Forum and cited a number of reasons including late invitation. In the opening day of the Forum held in Senchi in the Eastern Region, ex-President John Rawlings told news men on the sidelines of the forum that: �The economic disruption and political behaviour that has been foisted on this country since 2001 has been ignoble and if we cannot see or recognize the ultimate objective then to be quite honest I don�t know what we are about in this country.� The NPP took over the reins of government in 2001. Agreeing entirely with the views expressed by Mr. Jerry Rawlings, the Wa Central Member of Parliament said the NPP ahs to take 60 percent blame of the current economic mess. Rashid Pelpuo argued the NDC had not mismanaged the economy and if there is crisis, the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) introduced by the NPP before leaving office must be blamed for it. He said the SSS and the interest paid on loans taken under the NPP regime took over 80 percent of the country�s revenue. Those policies, Pelpuo indicated are �hurting us now.� He expressed regrets about failure of the NPP to join the forum, saying having caused the problems they ought to be part of the solution.