<<Print>>

A Deputy Minister for Energy and Petroleum, John Jinapor says there should be a change in direction with respect to the economy especially in the face of the numerous difficulties facing the country; adding, the country must be ready to move with that change, �no matter how difficult it is�. He was reacting to various complains of how bad the economy is doing from the World Bank, Trade Unions Congress (TUC), the Economic Team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other stakeholders. John Jinapor says he agrees with the TUC�s assertion to change economic policies which are not bringing about positive results. The TUC, in a statement issued this week, said there is a decline in the growth of major sectors of the economy such as the industrial, manufacturing and agriculture, and has failed to impact positively on the lives of Ghanaians. The Union therefore asked government to make critical changes to its economic policies to ensure Ghanaians benefit from it. Contributing to panel discussions on Peace FM�s morning show �Kokrokoo� with Kwami Sefa Kayi, John Jinapor indicated: �I agree with TUC that we should change directions and that is a fact because if we don�t and we continue with business as usual, the economy will have problems. I agree that we should change the way we do things�We must change from the top right to the bottom. We must look at things that will help us from the payment of judgment debts to the attitude of workers. We must change the system and this will come with some tough decisions. As a nation, we must be ready to face those times no matter how difficult that will be�� He however disagreed with the NPP's Economic Team assertion that the economy is in tatters and advised Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, to focus on the issues and avoid politicking. The Economic team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by Mr Osafo Maafo, former Minister of Finance in the erstwhile Kufour administration, held a press conference a few days ago, raised various issues indicating that the economy is in a bad shape and suggested ways for the Mahama led administration to follow to bring about change. But John Jinapor warned against politicizing the issue. �All of us agree there are challenges but we have to put the politics aside and find a lasting solution to it. Knowing Osafo Maafo for who he is, I thought he would reduce the politics and focus on the issues�then you end up saying the economy is in tatters, what kind of politics is this and you want us to take you serious? All of us concede that there are challenges; there are difficulties. I will not say that everything is okay but we must make decisions that will impact on the economy positively,� he said.