Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, has intimated that with the current global challenges resulting from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russian-Ukraine War, Ghana would have been in a serious economic quagmire if the governance of the nation were in the hands of some people.
He said the country had been able to withstand the global challenges because the President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo-led government and the New Patriotic Party had knowledgeable people who had sustained the economy in the face of those challenges.
Dr. Salih said this on Info Radio’s Morning show, Zienyaaye Upper West on Friday to inform the people of the region about the plans of the government in developing the region and the nation at large as well as some development initiatives in the region.
“The time all these things were happening if some people were in power the economic situation would have been worse than this. It is because we have knowledgeable people that is why all these things (Covid-19 and Russian-Ukraine war) are happening for about two years now yet we are still able to pay workers”, he explained.
Dr. Salih expressed optimism that all these pandemics will subside for the national economy to recover saying, “the Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine war have affected us so much, not only Ghana but globally”.
He, therefore, said those people that were literate and know what is happening globally should at all times tell the people the truth rather than “putting dust into their eyes” for political gains.
According to the Minister, the government has resorted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek support to recover the economy and said it would not have any negative impact on the country as purported by a section of the public.
Dr. Salih added that before 2016 the country was on the IMF programme but the AKufo-Addo-led government introduced some cutting-edge programs and policies such as the Free Senior High School and the Planting for Food and Jobs.