It is emerging that government the $100 million dollars promised by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo meant to fight the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana is not available after all.
Government is seeking the support to of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to raise the amount that was announced by the President during his maiden address to the nation about codvid-19
A former Deputy Education Minister under the John Dramani Mahama administration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who dropped the hint, has expressed his disappointment about Ghana’s unpreparedness for the deadly coronavirus.
His disappointment comes on the back of the fact that although the President in a statement said the Finance Ministry has been directed to set aside an equivalent of $100 million, the government is yet to secure the funds.
In a Facebook post the North Tongu lawmaker who has been at the forefront of the fight against Coronavirus by ensuring that his constituents are safe revealed “
So the Finance Minister has finally reported to Parliament this afternoon following our demand last week that he briefs the House on the $100million President Akufo-Addo in his first presidential address to the nation said has been made available to enhance Ghana’s Coronavirus preparedness and response plan. It turns out we don’t have the money and that we are relying on applications Government has made to the World Bank and the IMF. The Minister added: “we are also discussing with other multilateral and bilateral partners on potential assistance to close the financing gap.”
This is not the level of sincerity, seriousness and commitment other Governments are demonstrating in combating the pandemic. One can now clearly understand why health practitioners of different categories across the nation continue to lament about the lack of basic protective equipment. A terribly disappointing news, particularly, from a Government espousing a Ghana beyond aid philosophy”.
He maintained that the opposition and Ghanaians are willing to collaborate only if government is sincere to it in the delivery of service to the Ghanaian.
“We are all determined to rally the nation beyond partisanship to defeat COVID-19, however, a sincerity and credibility deficit on the part of Government as lead actors would undermine genuine consensus and goodwill from all well-meaning quarters. Coronavirus can be defeated but not with deception and hollow rhetoric. Mr. President, we demand real, convincing and sincere commitment!
