Trend of debate on budget remains unchanged
Accra (Greater Accra) 1 March 2000
Members of the Majority and the Minority in Parliament on Tuesday kept glued to their "praise" and "condemnation" stands respectively, as they went through the final stages of the debate on the 2000 budget.
After losing two days of the proposed two weeks to pressing issues that came up on the floor, it is likely that members may extend the debate to Friday.
"We have so far been treated to the same trend of argument since the debate on the budget started", Kwabena Edward Mensah, a regular visitor to the house said.
Mr Mike Hammah, Deputy Minister of Roads and Transport, described the budget proposals as "a beacon of hope, and a source of inspiration for Ghanaians for many years.
"We should, therefore, put our shoulders to the wheel to ensure that collectively we can move this nation forward".
He explained that the budget seeks to promote human development through a well-planned strategy centred on poverty reduction, education and skills development, health and other important areas.
The Member said that in spite of the government's determination to make these plans see light much would depend on the co-operation of the population in the socio-economic efforts.
Mr M. A. Seidu, the Deputy Majority Leader, said the government has the goodwill of the people and so can move the nation forward.
"Since this goodwill has been mutual all this while, all programmes and policies are human-faced, tailored to meet the aspirations of the people".
Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, NPP-Sunyani West, criticised the government for not properly addressing the problems facing teachers.
He said that payments made to teachers recently "have not solved some of their pressing problems.
The Member mentioned a three-year non-payment of salaries to pupil teachers.
Mr Adjei-Darko called for the proper resourcing of the nation's polytechnics to lift them from the current status of "glorified technical schools".
"Without proper and adequate resources, polytechnic graduates will not have the requisite knowledge to attract industrialists, who are not philanthropists".
Mr D.Y. Mensah, NDC-Atebubu North, said the NDC government is not a segregationist and would, therefore, make sure that all segments of the society get their fair share of the nation's resources.
He said the various credit facilities made available to all manner of persons, attest to this fact.
The Member, however, called on individuals and groups, which enjoy loans from the government, to pay back on time.
Mr Kwadwo Osafo-Maafo, NPP-Akim Oda, argued that targets presented in the budget proposal are not achievable due to unfavourable external factors and poor domestic economic growth.
He said since 1997, all Gross Domestic Product (GDP) targets set by the government did not actualise.
The Member stressed that even when the world market price of cocoa was high and crude oil was not a problem, the economy could not perform as expected.
"How then could a five per cent growth in GDP become a reality when we have all these problems to contend with", he asked.
He cautioned against "over borrowing" from the public by the government through the sale of treasury bills.
"A few days ago as much as 400 billion cedis went into the purchase of treasury bills".
The Member said if the situation is not rectified, the private sector would be completely starved of capital because normal savings, which contribute to the mobilisation of capital by banks, would cease to be profitable.
"I would have asked the House to offer a short prayer for Ghana if we had not prayed".
On a point of order, Mr Moses Asaga, a Deputy Minister of Finance said the government is addressing the issue.
Mr Osafo-Maafo called on the government not to postpone finding solution to the problem of corruption since the answer lies in its bosom.
Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Welfare, said the government through its programmes had reduced the prevalence of poverty considerably.
He quoted the "Ghana Living Standard Survey" as saying that the prosperity of the people rose by 8.2 per cent last year.
He said to the impoverished, the budget is a fulfilling one because it
would continue the process of rescuing them from social exclusion.
GRi./