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Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, March 6, Prof. Adei noted that Mahama’s initial months in power have been impressive.

Drawing comparisons with past administrations since Ghana’s independence, he noted that:

“His Excellency, the President has done very well in the first 100 days. I mean, government after government. I was too young to have observed the first 100 days of Nkrumah, but thereafter, when he was overthrown, I was in my final year at training college. Since then, I have observed the early days of every government, and I would give him a very high score for what he has done,” Prof. Adei remarked.

He, however, pointed out that the true test of leadership lies beyond the initial phase, where tough economic decisions must be taken to stabilize the economy and ensure sustainable growth.

“This is the honeymoon stage, and I will give him a good score. But the real challenge lies in stabilizing the economy, generating revenue, and addressing key issues such as Ghana’s limited gains from its mineral resources and the fight against illegal mining [galamsey],” he added.

Prof. Adei acknowledged the difficulties ahead but expressed hope that President Mahama would continue on a path of progress, stating, “So far, he has done very well, and we wish him the best because Ghana cannot continue resetting the agenda.”

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A former Chairman of National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Professor Stephen Adei, has urged President Nana Akufo-Addo to declare a national emergency on illegal mining popularly known as ‘galamsey’.

Such a move, he said, would give the President emergency powers to decisively deal with the menace, which he described as a “gargantuan environmental degradation” issue.

“Galamsey is a major reflection of political, traditional and security leadership failure in this country,” he said.

Prof Adei was speaking at the 25th anniversary lecture of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Accra on Wednesday [September 4, 2024].

Total destruction 

Prof Adei, who is also a former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), said galamsey and its incidental destruction of forests, farmlands, water bodies and other natural resources, had become widespread, throwing people’s health and the future of this country into jeopardy.

He gave an example of how galamsey had totally destroyed River Gimi, the major source of water for Obuasi and other surrounding communities.

“Currently, River Gimi that supplies water to Obuasi is being totally destroyed at its headwaters just a few meters from the Adansihene’s residence in Hwiremoase,” he added.

Prof Adei lauded the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his decisive action in destooling chiefs found to be complicit in galamsey activities.

“I hope the Asantehene in his sterling leadership will not stop at destooling chiefs found to be engaging or supporting galamsey. He must continue and eventually declare Asanteman galamsey free zone,” he added.

Emergency powers 

If President Akufo-Addo was to heed the call by Prof Adei and declare galamsey as a national emergency, then it means the President could take actions to deal with the menace just as he did during the fight against the COVID -19 pandemic.

During the COVID -19 pandemic, the President under emergency powers, restricted the movement of people, shut down certain public spaces such as beaches and restricted public gatherings at funerals, religious activities and parties.

It is not clear what actions the President could take if he declared a national emergency on galamsey, but Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution, allows the President, acting on the advise of the Council of State, to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country.

The President could therefore declare a state of emergency in the galamsey prone areas and take far reaching actions which could directly or indirectly affect the human rights of persons, but would become necessary in dealing with such a national disaster.

Article 31 of the Constitution requires the President to immediately notify Parliament and seek Parliamentary approval for the state of emergency, with Parliament required to either approve the state of emergency or revoke it within 72 hours after being notified.

Comprehensive action 

Prof Adei said after declaring a state of emergency to deal with the menace, the government should ensure those sponsoring or funding galamsey activities would face the full rigor of the law.

Again, he said, there ought to be a comprehensive which will provide alternative livelihoods for unemployed youth engaged in galamsey, or allow them to mine in tandem with the law.

“The young men and women caught in galamsey must be encouraged and trained. Of course, they can go back and engage in lawful mining, but the mining should not be at the expense of the environment,” he said.

Galamsey fight 

The issue of galamsey has become a national public disaster, leading to the destruction of water bodies, forests and farmlands.

Successive governments have failed to deal with the menace

When President Akufo-Addo assumed the reigns of governance in 2017, he served notice that he was prepared to put his Presidency on the line in his avowed quest to fight illegal mining.

With that statement and a charge to deal with galamsey, the government implemented a flurry of initiatives to deal with the menace.

Among them was the passage of the Mining (Amendment) Act, 2019 (Act 995), which imposed  a strict sentencing regime for offenders of galamsey.

Under Section 99 of Act 995, a Ghanaian engaged in illegal mining, or one who commands, instigates or employs others to engage in illegal mining commits an offence and is liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine of not less than 10,000 penalty units (GH¢120,000) and not more than 15,000 penalty units (GH¢180,000) and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years and not more than 25 years.

For a foreigner engaged in illegal mining, Act 995 stipulates a fine of not less than 100,000 penalty units (GH¢1.2 million) and not more than 300,000 penalty units (GH¢3.6 million) and a term of imprisonment of not less 20 years and not more than 25 years, or both the fine and the term of imprisonment.

The government also established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on illegal Mining and came up with Operation Vanguard, a security task force to deal with the menace.

Failures? 

However, seven years down the line, it seems the plans by the government had failed to have the desired effect, with galamsey activities on the rampant.

There has been accusation of corruption in the fight, and politically exposed persons being involved in galamsey activities, with many civil society organisations accusing the government failing to deal the menace.

With about three months to the general elections,  the issue of galamsey has become a political talking point and a campaign issue, with the two major political parties engaging in the usual blame game politics.

However, while this political spectacle continues, the country continues to suffer the brunt of the effect of illegal mining.

Recently, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) attributed galamsey as part of the reasons for low cocoa  yields, while the Ghana Water Company has also made public how the destruction of water bodies, as a result of galamsey activities, was making it difficult for it to supply the public with water.

Source: Graphic.com

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The former GIMPA rector expressed confusion over government’s decision to seek legislation now after seven years of practice.

Speaking on PM Express on Tuesday, he noted, “What they’ve done for the past several years has not been illegal; it’s been by government policy and is acceptable.”

His comment follows Education Minister Dr Yaw Adutwum’s announcement that the Free SHS Bill, 2024, will be presented to Cabinet for debate this week.

The proposed bill aims to give legal backing to free and compulsory senior high school (SHS) education, along with several other changes to the education system, including the restructuring of junior high school (JHS) and the cancellation of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a prerequisite for SHS admission.

Dr Aduwtum added that another proposal of the bill was the cancellation of the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) as a precondition for gaining admission to the secondary level. Rather, it would be used for school selection purposes.

When passed, the certification for completing SHS would become the first level of formal certificate any student could obtain in the country, rather than the BECE certification, the Education Minister further stated.

“What we need is a law that says there should be free, compulsory universal secondary education. This means the minimum education for the Ghanaian should be a senior high school and not junior high school,” he said, adding “It is our responsibility to provide the support for them”.

Despite these proposed changes, Professor Adei remains skeptical.

He argues that the policy is sound, but the focus should be on refining its implementation rather than legislating it.

“There must be a reason why they want to bring in a law now,” he said, questioning the necessity of the proposed legislation.

Professor Adei suggests that the Education Ministry should consult with experts, stakeholders, and ordinary Ghanaians to improve the policy.

“I’ve been in public service all my life until retirement, and this is a very weird way of doing policy,” he added, emphasizing the need for practical solutions over legal formalities.

In the view of the Director of Labour, Research and Policy Institute at TUC, Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Prof Adei has a morbid hatred for Ghanaian workers.

“He has a morbid hatred for Ghanaian workers and unions. His claim to fame in Ghana is what he did at GIMPA. He didn’t do those things with Togolese workers.

“There were drivers and security people he worked with when he was there. And the least thing these people expect from him is this kind of comment. Can any government or any employer come and tell us what they have been doing about productivity? Except to perpetually complain that the Ghanaian worker is unproductive without evidence?” he said in an interview on Accra-based Citi TV.

The former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) a few weeks ago highlighted that his research has revealed that Togolese workers demonstrate superior work quality compared to Ghanaians.

According to him, employers often prefer Togolese workers due to their higher productivity levels.

But Dr Otoo who has disagreed with his assertion has questioned if Prof Adei would prefer treatment in Togo or Ghana when faced with a health challenge.

“We recognise there’s a challenge about attitudes to work, we are doing something about it. If you want to help, this is not the way a professor should go. There’s a way that professors can help us address some of the challenges. But they should find a nicer way, collaborative way of saying it.

“When you google Prof Adei, you will not find a single research document he has put there, it’s all about condemnations and castigations of Ghanaian workers. What is the basis to say that a Ghanaian worker is not productive?” Dr Otoo queried.

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The report described as “presumptuous” claims by former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Prof. Stephen Adei that bribes determine who gets to be awarded road contracts.

This comes after the Ministry petitioned EOCO to investigate the bribery allegation.

In a press release dated April 12, 2024, the Roads and Highways Ministry said the investigations exonerated it; adding that the allegations were a generalisation of perceived corruption in the country.

“EOCO has determined that ‘from the totality of the available information to the office, Prof. Stephen Adei’s comments were found to be unfortunate and general within the context of perceived corruption in the country’. 

“EOCO, therefore, concludes that the matter is disposed of as unsubstantiated and highly presumptuous,” the statement read.

In October 2023, Prof Adei in an interview bemoaned the issue of corruption in the award of road contracts. 

According to him, he has information to the effect that persons seeking road contracts are told: “Road contracts will be given to you, provided you pay 1 million upfront….”

However, the Ministry at the time, described the allegations as surprising insisting that the processes involved in awarding road contracts are characterised by transparency, competitiveness, and adherence to legal procedures.

They also called on EOCO to investigate the allegation.

Additionally, a group of road contractors in Ghana denied Prof Adei’s claims noting that none of them had ever encountered such a demand for an upfront payment of GH¢1 million.

While supporting the call for EOCO’s investigation, the road contractors stated that the awarding of contracts is a well-documented and transparent process. 

This, they explained, would make it challenging for corrupt practices to occur in the allocation of these contracts.

Meanwhile, the Roads and Highways Ministry said they are pleased with the outcome of the investigation.

The Ministry assured the public of its commitment to transparency and due process in the award of contracts.

Below is the full statement

According to him, although the policy has served the nation and enabled underprivileged individuals to access second-cycle education, it is time for the policy to be reviewed so it can bring out the best in individuals.

Speaking on Joy News’ AM show on February 29, Professor Adei mentioned that President Akufo-Addo should not delay this review until another political party assumes power but should initiate it promptly.

“In any case, one of the studies that has been done shows that even for free SHS, for every one cedi the government spends on a student in the secondary schools, the parents spend about three cedis.

“So, these are the realities we must look at. The government has done its best. I think we should not reverse it, but how can we improve it?” he said.

Professor Adei proposed that the government must focus on establishing quality day schools instead of boarding schools.

He suggested that while boarding schools should not be entirely eliminated, parents should bear the cost of boarding while the government provides scholarships to underprivileged students.

“So that it is not only the rich that goes to boarding, there are ways we can treat the free SHS now that he has opened the way,”he said.

The Free SHS policy, which is the flagship programme of the New Patriotic Party administration under President Akufo-Addo, has remained a major talking point since its inception in September 2017.

While many have welcomed the policy for removing the financial impediment that made it impossible for children from poor homes to attain secondary education, others believe it has not been properly implemented.

There have been challenges with inadequate infrastructure in many senior schools, leading to the double-track system. Parents have expressed concern about the inadequate food given to their wards, as well as the struggles school heads face in running the schools due to the government’s ban on some additional charges as a result of the policy.

For the critics of the policy, the belief is that the programme has reduced the quality of education at the SHS level, a claim the governing party has downplayed on the basis that the SHS candidates churned out since the policy came into being, have emerged with better pass rate.

The NDC’s 2024 flagbearer and former President John Mahama has repeatedly stated that his party will review the policy to ensure that quality education is not affected at that level.

But the NPP and President Akufo-Addo have interpreted that to mean policy cancellation should the NDC return to power. Following the president’s call for an improved Free SHS during his last State of the Nation address, many have pointed out that the President is now making a U-turn to agree with the NDC’s call for a review.

“Mr Speaker, I believe the success of the Free SHS has answered its critics and the arguments about it should cease, and we should simply concentrate on finding ways to improve it,” the President stated.

But speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday after the president’s address, the NPP’s Director of Communication, Richard Ahiagba, said Mr Mahama’s call for a review and the president’s call for policy improvement is not the same.

“On the Free SHS, I think we need to also make the point that the NDC has never in principle been for the Free SHS. They have in principle been in support of the progressive; which is different from Free SHS, so that point must be made.

“And also the point must be made that there is a difference between the review the NDC promises and the improvement the President is talking about. They are not the same. Their review will aim at cancelling Free SHS in the form we have it,” Mr Ahiagbah argued.

Improvement will not do that. Improvement is to enhance and continue to invest in the Free SHS to ensure that it actually addresses the cost barrier which is its primary objective, and to ensure that access is given to people like myself and people who come from my background to be able to access education. That’s the value of the improvement the President is talking about” he explained.

When he was asked about the improvement plan, Mr Ahiagbah further explained “The plan fundamentally will be to intensify investment and ensure that we build a considerable amount of infrastructure by continuing to invest in that, invest in teacher training, and now we see there’s expansion with TVET [Technical and vocational education and training] which is also being included in the Free SHS component to ensure that we are expanding opportunities to our young people to access education.”

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The government through the Finance Ministry has instructed GRA to collaborate with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) to implement VAT on households that exceed the lifeline power consumption.

The tariff which took effect from January 1, 2024, seeks to transfer VAT generated from consumers surpassing the specified maximum consumption level for lifeline units.

Reacting to this on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Thursday, the economist said the power consumption VAT will further deepen the plight of consumers and make businesses uncompetitive. 

Admitting the country was going through tough times and the way out was paying of taxes, he however noted that, this was not the way to go.

According to him, there are various sectors where taxes are not being collected and government can focused on them but always target the easy areas.

“There’s no doubt at all people will be worse off. We should be going after the billions of uncollected property taxes, monies been lost to corrupt, people trying to cut corners when clearing goods and people keeping huge sums of money.

But rather, we go after the taxes which can be easily accessed; like electricity and fuel. This worsens the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian who is already burdened with taxes,” he lamented.

Prof Adei further urged government to engage relevant stakeholders before implementing the new tax.

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Prof Adei is, however, worried that the outcome of such an uprising could lead to worse conditions than the country is currently facing.

“The only sad part is that if the politicians continue this course and that gives us a very dangerous trend, there is either the Arab spring type of coup d’états which in our part of the world has always led to a worsened situation,” he said.

According to him, Ghanaian politicians rather than utilising societal strengths to foster development exploit weaknesses such as corruption, and hero worship, among others, to further their own parochial interest.

This he says has significantly impaired Ghanaians’ ability to choose good leaders to lead the country and has further eroded the country’s democratic dispensation.

“Our political leaders have so much exploited and cleavage in our culture the poverty of the people, their hero worship and the rest, and our values which guarded us in the past has been so downplayed,” he said on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show.

Prof. Adei was hopeful that recent agitations against bad governance and calls for more accountable leadership would set in motion a movement to usher in better leadership for the country.

“I talk to lot of young people like you and they’re at this moment they’re waiting for a clean man or woman of character and of competence and who cares for Ghanaians to rise up and let me tell you, there could be a tsunami that will sweep away this almost duopoly of corruption of leaders in Ghana.

“So I think that our society has the capacity and many societies which eventually have good leaders had gone through a bad patch of leadership like we’re experiencing and have experienced in our recent past and by which I’m not talking about a specific regime,” he said.

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Professor Adei, who is a former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), expressed concerns about corruption and arrogance within the Akufo-Addo government in an interview on Accra-based TV3.

To him, the ‘corruption’ and ‘arrogance’ of the incumbent government are to the extent that “they think that Ghana is for them and that without them, Ghana will not be there.”

Reacting to this on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, the MP stated Prof Adei, who is the former board chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), was spot on with his concerns about corruption in the country.

However, his diversion about the imposition of the next President raises questions.

“His comments show there is some bitterness and it appears that when some bigwigs are given positions in government and they are later relieved of their duties, they start to say all manner of things and throw bombs.

He was talking about corruption and suddenly saying that some people are telling us who should be our next President, I suspect there is more to it,” Mr. Aboagye said.

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Speaking on the issue, a former rector of GIMPA, Professor Stephen Kwaku Adei, who doubles as a former Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority, has chided politicians for not adapting and implementing policies of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

According to him, instead of politicians following the plans of the NDPC to develop the country regardless of the party in government, they rather choose to draw their own plans, hence the current hardship.

He believes if nothing is done about it, the country will continue to fall on its knees.

Professor Adei, while commenting on the government’s engagement with IMF, made this statement on Burning Issues hosted by Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom.

“It’s not only this but all the government’s that have come to power, they never regard the NDPC and this has contributed to this current situation. If nothing is done about it, the country will continue to fall on its knees.

“They could have given themselves let’s say 100 years and develop the country, by now the country wouldn’t be facing this hardship”.

He went on to say that the NDPC has plans on which the government in power could use to develop the country, however; there is no law which says the president should be punished if he fails to use the plan and that the party in power is sometimes even controlled by their General Secretaries.

“It’s not that there aren’t plans, there are but there is no law in the constitution that indicates that the president in power should be punished if he fails to work with the NDPC, so you cant force them to use the NDPC.

“The late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills tried to amend that but unfortunately fell ill so his members disregarded it. Sometimes General Secretaries in those various parties tend to stand in, if it’s NDC you will hear Asiedu Nketia talking too much and the other General Secretary in NPP,” he fumed.

This comes as the government contemplates going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the economic situation in the country worsens.

According to the Deputy Finance Minister, Dr John Kumah, an IMF programme may be pursued if the current home-grown programmes fail to bring the needed economic stability and restore investor confidence.

But speaking to Raymond Acquah on Upfront on the JoyNews channel, the former Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Board Chair explained that without proper leadership, the country will have no option than to resort to a bailout from the IMF.

“We really must have a leadership that has the vision and is willing to call everybody to order and insist on really bringing the best brains together. It is a serious national challenge we face.

“I think this is a challenge which has nagged the country for many years and at this moment, we have to see the President rising up to the occasion or else Ghana is going to have serious difficulties getting out of this crisis,” he said on Thursday, June 30.

Prof Adei noted that the current composition of the cabinet leaves room for some individuals to pursue their own interests rather than engaging in serious government business.

“I personally think – and here I am not talking about only President Akufo-Addo’s government – our cabinet, knowing you have all Tom, Dick and Harry… the proponents of the Constitution said the cabinet should be about 19 or so ministers; we managed to get them to about 85.

“It used to be more than 110 so that at a cabinet they make a serious decision instead of people who are thinking about whether they are going to be the next party chairman or not? No! You need a real-select team and the best of advice.”

Listen to more of Prof Adei in the soundbite below.

According to the renowned civil servant, the idea of neutrality allowance “makes him sick”; adding that, it is the “most stupid thing”, he has ever heard in his life.

Speaking in an interview with Raymond Acquah on UpFront on Wednesday, he criticised the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), for threatening to lay down their tools over government’s inability to pay their ‘neutrality allowance’.

“To be honest with you, as somebody who spent 35 years in national and international public service, the idea of neutrality allowance just makes me sick. So if they’re not paid, they’re not going to be neutral? That’s what they mean? Let them declare their political colours.

In fact, never in the world. I don’t know, the government somehow got themselves into trouble. The idea of a public servant being paid a neutrality allowance to me is the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard in my life”, he stated, while venting his displeasure.

In his view, instead of civil servants threatening to lay down their tools over the nonpayment of the said allowance, it would have been proper if they embarked on a demand for increased salaries, due to the current economic situation.

Professor Adei added that back in the day, such civil servants would have been dismissed for demanding payments like neutrality allowances. He also criticised government for undertaking to pay such allowances in the first place; stating that, based on his vast years of experience in the public sector, the allowance is not appropriate.

In expressing his reservations, he continued that such civil servants who state such demands as a condition for working, should be outrightly dismissed from the civil service and asked to reapply or stay home.

As to whether the government can meet the said demands, he has stated that the only viable alternative for government is to print money.

“At this moment, the government’s projected expenditure in order for the economy not to collapse, is such that tye government has to reduce expenditure by 20%. And already, debt servicing and public sector wage, takes about 95 to 98 percent.

So yes, I have no doubt at all that given the economic circumstances, the price increases, the petroleum prices, workers are having a hard time. But I can’t see how the government can pay any significant pay increase now, other than printing money”, he stated.

Professor Adei added that, if government considers the printing of money to satisfy the demands of workers, it will lead an increase in inflation, since the printing of money, will not be backed by any productivity.

The former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, made these remarks on UpFront, while contributing to discussions on the “State of the Ghanaian Worker”.

In that regard, he further intimated that, government must devise well-thought out strategies to address the situation.

In the last couple of days, there have been some agitations on the labour front, with civil servants threatening to lay down their tools, over the failure of government to pay their ‘neutrality allowances’, since the beginning of the year.

This has consequently triggered concerns from other labour unions, regarding their salaries and conditions of service.

Speaking in an interview with Raymond Acquah on UpFront on Wednesday, the NDPC boss stated that personalities like Mr Mahama and President Nana Akufo-Addo are influential figures, whose postures on issues can impact on the rest of the populace.

According to him, based on the influence they wield, they must refrain from certain acts that can spell mayhem for the country.

On that note, the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority, stated that Mr Mahama’s comment on the recent ruling by the apex court, was in bad taste; adding that his comments could set the country on the path of civil war.

In his view, the comments by the 2020 NDC flagbearer cannot be casually dismissed as a critic of the Judiciary.

“Leadership is motivating others. Akufo-Addo with all of his intelligence, and he’s one of the brilliant people, he’s one out of 30 million Ghanaians. But his actions, and that goes for Mahama. He must watch what he says. Because they’re leaders whose behaviour and words have such gargantuan impact. For example, you cannot be a person of the stature of Mahama and say what he said. And I won’t like to repeat it; about the Supreme Court judgment.

“Because what you’re doing is this. You’re setting the country on [the] cause of civil war. Because wherever there has been a civil war, there must be list of confidence in the formal system. I won’t like to repeat it. I think the words which were used should never have come from the mouth of an ex-president,” he stated.

It would be recalled that in a Facebook post on March 10, the NDC 2020 flagbearer said, “If Deputy Speakers, because they are Members of Parliament, can vote while presiding as Speaker, they could as well be able to participate in any debate on the floor over which they are presiding. This is the absurdity into which the Supreme Court ruling leads us,” he said.

Mr Mahama’s comments were an addition to earlier concerns where he stated that the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling that Deputy Speakers can vote while presiding sets a dangerous precedent for the country’s Parliamentary procedure.

He described the verdict by the Court as “shocking but not surprising.”

According to him, the verdict by the apex court on the voting rights of the Deputy Speakers is “an unfortunate interpretation for convenience that sets a dangerous precedent of judicial interference in Parliamentary procedure for the future.”

The Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Jones Dotse, on Wednesday, March 9, ruled that a Deputy Speaker can be counted during the formation of a quorum for Parliamentary decision-making and participate in voting while presiding over the parliamentary business.

The landmark judgement was given after private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai, filed a case against the Attorney- General to contest the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu’s decision to count himself during a vote to approve the 2022 budget.

But Mr Mahama intimated that the 7-0 ruling affects the independence of the legislative arm of government and may affect future deliberations in the House.

However, while contributing to discussions on the current state of the economy on UpFront, Professor Stephen Adei said the comments were not deserving of a leader of Mr Mahama’s calibre.

Meanwhile, Professor Adei has refuted claims that Ghana’s economy is on the verge of collapse. In his view, the economy is not collapsing, stating that “we are in difficult times.” According to him, the country’s economy is stronger “than the word broke”.

Ghana’s current public debt stock stands at a staggering 341.8 billion Ghana cedis with a corresponding debt to GDP ratio of more than 77% as of September ending 2021.

This means if the country should share this amount across the country’s 30.8 million population, everyone will owe approximately 11,000 Ghana cedis.

In terms of interest payments on borrowings, Ghana has spent on average 147 billion Ghana cedis, which is 47 billion Ghana cedis more than projected revenue plus grants for 2022.

In the first quarter of 2022, the government has indicated that it will borrow a total of GHS24.5 billion from the domestic market of which GHS20.7 billion will be used to service existing debt in the local market, leaving the government with just GHS3.8 billion to finance other expenses.

Prof. Adei says any officer who goes contrary to the directive will have himself to blame.

He gave the directive when he, together with the Director-General of the GRA and the Commissioner of Customs visited the Custom Division, Tema Collection at the Port of Tema to interact with staff of the GRA.

The visit was the first interaction he had had with Custom officials after taking the chairmanship role a fortnight ago.

He stressed that “From today if anybody says there is order from above, and you collaborate and you are caught you will be sacked immediately. When there is order from above refer that order from above to me if they say it is from the operations room in Jubilee House, say Stephen Addai says if you want to send directives from operations, send it to him and the commissioner to direct”.

He warned that “if anyone of you clears a chicken in the name of a fish, for somebody, he may be the biggest person, but I will hold you responsible”.

He added that as part of his crusade on “stop the leakage by the few, ” he would provide a dedicated phone number were complaints of leakages could be reported to as a way to empower junior staff to report without fear of victimization and transfer adding that not less than a quarter of what would be retrieved would be used as reward for those who report.

The GRA Board Chairman observed that some senior and middle officers engaged in connections to enrich themselves while the others especially the juniors suffer from their action as their acts prevent the increase in revenue which is directly linked to salary increment and other benefits.

He urged the officers to work hard towards meeting the GRA’s 2019 annual target of 45 billion cedis saying his outfit would not approve any promotions till January due to the many complaints received from officers on unfair treatment indicating that only those productive persons would earn the needed promotion.

Touching on the clearance process, he called for the creation of an office for persons who would want to clear their goods directly instead of through freight forwarders saying there was no reason why people could not clear their goods themselves if they process all the relevant documents, quickly adding however that it does not mean he was against the work of clearing agents.

According to him, Ghana’s over 1,000 freight forwarders and agents was five times higher than that of Nigeria adding that they had been a source of trouble in under-declaring and manipulating in the clearing process.

Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), Commissioner, Customs Division, assured that more staff would be assigned to the various collections to help the GRA to meet its target saying, at the end of August, revenue collected was 30 billion cedis out of the 45 billion targeted for the year.

The Commissioner, therefore, charged the officers to put in measures and work hard towards collecting at least five billion cedis each for the months of October, November and December to enable it to reach its target.

Mr Joseph Adu-Kyei, Tema Sector Commander, in a welcoming address, said his area which collected 69.17 per cent of the total Custom target for 2019 had huge challenges.

Mr Adu-Kyei disclosed that “with the operationalization of the MPS terminal 3, several ICDs have been collapsed leaving the following examination sheds; Safebond, Golden Jubilee Terminal, CFS and Car Park, TBT and other CFS”.

He added that the reduction in the home consumption CIF by 10.41 per cent attributable to the 50 per cent and 30 per cent reduction in benchmark values for goods and vehicles respectively and proportionate growth in exemption rate by 22.82 per cent in 2019 posed a great challenge to his outfit.

Source: GNA

A former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) says violent attacks by party footsoldiers in the country will stop if perpetrators are prosecuted.

Professor Stephen Adei said the prosecution of the 13 members of pro-NPP vigilante group, Delta Force, with charges of violent behavior, will serve as deterrent to others.

He expressed optimism in the solutions President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Add has proffered to deal with the issue.

There has been string of attacks across the country after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was declared winner of the 2016 elections.

These attacks have largely been committed by Invincible and Delta Forces, two vigilante groups affiliated to the NPP. Some members of the Delta Force attacked Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Agyei over his appointment.

The group claimed Mr Agyei did not play any role in the struggle to bring the NPP into power. They recommended the President to appoint their leader.

Public outcry over the attack led to the arrest of 21 members of the group. However, when they were arraigned, only 13 showed up. Minutes later some men numbering over 50 stormed the court premises to release the 13 after the judge had directed that they be remanded.

The 13 later turned themselves in to the police and eight out of the court raiders were also arrested. They have been granted bail.

The development has been condemned by Ghanaians and the international community.

The President has suggested the strengthening of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to deal with activities of vigilante groups.

Speaking to Joy News on sidelines of Youth Mentorship and Empowerment programme held by the Pentecost Church of Ghana Friday,  Prof Adei, an educationist said he supports the president’s insistence on the rule of law.

“I think [President] Nana Akufo-Addo’s approach to dealing with this menace of vigilante groups is the best, which of course, some of his party members are very angry about,” he said.

Pref Adei said if the President is able to insist on the prosecution of the Delta Force members who attacked the court he will not need them in the next general election in 2020.

On his assessment of President Akufo-Addo’s 100 days in office, Prof. Adei commended the President for setting up the government machinery in place.

“Ghanaians must judge Nana Addo, not on his performance because he’s yet to perform.”

He cautioned the president to purge his government of corruption, saying “we’ll come back for the sake of the voiceless if Nana and his people start “chop chop” and start having flats in Dubai.”

On his part, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost Worldwide, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyina charged President Akufo-Addo to deliver Ghanaians from the economic slavery they find themselves.

Other important personalities who were in attendance included, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, Elizabeth K T Sackey, Life Coach, and Elder Amos Kevin-Annan.