But for Covid, the economy would’ve performed far better – Kpemka

Former Member of Parliament for Tempane, Joseph Dindiok Kpemka has said that but for the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic Ghana’s economy would have performed well currently.

Contributing to a discussion on the State of the Nation Address by President Nana Addo Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on TV3’s Key Points on Saturday, March 11, the former Deputy Attorney General said “We have said as a government that the crisis started in 2020 when Covid started. Had Covid not struck, the economy would’ve performed far better.”

In the address, President Akufo-Addo reiterated that Ghana’s economy was doing well prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

This, he said, was a fact that the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognised.

Mr Akufo-Addo indicated that due to the political advantage that some people are seeking to take, they are unable to accept the fact that the economy was doing well.

He said in the State of the Nation Address Wednesday, March 8 that “I have said, and the Managing Director of the IMF has also said, our economy was doing well until covid 19, and Russia Ukraine war.”

Earlier, he indicated that when he assumed office on 7^th January 2017, he inherited a severely-challenged economy, whose rate of growth, at the time, was the lowest in over two decades.

But, he said, by dint of hard work, prudence and creativity, the government has managed to turn things around, creating an economy which, for the years 2017, 2018, and 2019, the years before the onset of COVID-19, was amongst the fastest growing economies not only in Africa, but also in the world, recording an annual Gross Domestic Growth (GDP) growth rate of seven percent (7%).

Speaking at the 66th Independence Day celebration on Monday, March 6, he said “We were the best place to do business in West Africa, and, in 2021, we were described as the most attractive destination for investment in West Africa.

“The next twenty-two (22) months of my mandate will be focused on restoring the economy we had before COVID and the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the period of rapid growth. It is a solemn pledge I am making to you, my fellow Ghanaians, and one which I am determined to fulfill. Before I take my seat, I want to inform you that, in fulfilment of the announcement I made at last year’s Founders’ Day Celebration, I will, on Tuesday, 14^th March 2023, confer national honours on some citizens of our country, who distinguished themselves in the fight against the pandemic of COVID-19. By their actions, they helped protect and preserve our population, and won global acclaim for Mother Ghana.

“I will, also, on that day, express the nation’s gratitude to the legal team of men and women who were charged with ensuring that the maritime boundary dispute with Ghana’s immediate, western neighbour, the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, ended favourably for Ghana, thus ensuring that our western maritime resources, including their potential oil and gas reserves, remained legitimately in our possession.

“I am sure we all saw the three (3) helicopters belonging to the Police Service joining this morning’s celebration. It is the first time in our nation’s history that the Police Service is employing the use of helicopters to improve its operational efficiency.

“The acquisition of these helicopters is to honour the pledge I made at the 2019 end of year Police WASSA, and I assure the officers, men and women of the Service of Government’s continued support in helping them to discharge effectively their mandate.”

By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana