Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy
A member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for his reset agenda, which is showing signs of economic revival.
He, however, said the progress made in the economy had been overshadowed by its inability to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey in the country.
In a statement, Dr Kennedy noted that the economy was showing signs of revival, citing a four-year low inflation rate, plans to resource the power sector, increased investment in free SHS and plans to increase investment in healthcare infrastructure.
“The economy is showing signs of revival, with inflation at a four-year low, plans to resource the power sector, increased investment in free SHS and the ‘No fees stress policy’, as well as plans to increase investment in healthcare infrastructure,” he said.
Galamsey concerns
He, however, expressed concern about the government’s stance on galamsey, stating that President Mahama’s response to questions on the matter during his maiden media encounter on the issue was disappointing.
He called on President Mahama to reconsider his decision not to declare a state of emergency in galamsey-endemic areas, citing the need for desperate measures to address the issue.
“Declare it now. Go beyond it,” he stressed.
“The forces of good under President Mahama have met the evil forces of galamsey and capitulated,” Dr Kennedy said.
National security
Dr Kennedy also expressed concerns about national security, citing the ongoing Bawku crisis and the recent conflict in Gbeniyiri in the Savannah Region that had resulted in the deaths of about 30 people.
He called for robust peace enforcement in those areas and criticised the government’s reluctance to crack down on those fomenting violence.
“We cannot aggressively detain the likes of Chairman Wontumi and Abronye while offering mediation to killers in the same country,” Dr Kennedy said, highlighting the perceived inconsistencies in the administration of justice.
He said it would seem that the security agencies were more concerned about the buffoonery of Abronye than the killings in Bawku and Gbeniyiri.
He stated that Fifi Kwetey was right to lament those lining up to lobby on behalf of those facing prosecution for looting.
“If we have a system where two citizens who have looted equally can seek to escape punishment and one would be punished while the other is freed because of who lobbied for whom, we do not have a credible justice system,” Dr Kennedy lamented.
