GOVT'S 100 DAYS IN OFFICER ...Views from Bolga & Cape Coast (PAGE 31)

Salifu Amadu, Retired Educationist

I WOULD like to put the assessment of the government’s first 100 days under several headings. In the area of administration, I think everything is on course, even though certain ministries are without Deputy Ministers and some boards of public institutions are not in place. All in all, one can say, it’s a good beginning.
In terms of security, there has not been much change. Though there are prospects for better things in the foreseeable future.
In terms of the promise to prepare and present to parliament, legislation on various tax and tariff measures designed to provide relief for Ghanaians, we have seen a reduction of taxes on particularly petrol and diesel. However, I think the government dribbled Ghanaians by reducing the taxes by five per cent and turned around to increase the prices by 10 per cent. To me this is not an incentive to the generality of Ghanaians.
On the promise of ensuring effective waste management systems to deal with the appalling filth in our communities, I will say that if the emphasis was on the national capital, Accra, then the government has scored high marks but the situation across the nation is nothing to write home about.
I do agree that tackling the issue of sanitation is not an event but a process. There is a need for a strong policy directive to deal with the problem of sanitation. There should be a sustained effort and dedication from all Ghanaians to ensure that our environment is kept clean always.
We all need to put our shoulders to the wheel because one cannot sit in Accra and pretend to be cleaning the whole nation. It should be a policy for the district and municipal assemblies in the region to take up the issue of sanitation seriously. Once that is done we will be cutting down on the health bill, since most of the many people who report to our hospitals have their ailment related to poor sanitation.
But then, more importantly, we want money in our pockets and I think the government will do well to ensure that it lives up to the responsibility to improve on salaries. On the scale of 1 to 100, I will give the government 50.

Lukman Imoro, Founding Member, Bawku Literary
Society

For me the first 100 days have so far been good. Over the past three months, we have seen the commitment of government to continue with existing government programmes such as the National Youth Employment Programme, School Feeding Programme, and National Health Insurance Scheme. This I think is fantastic.
In the area of administration, I think the government had fared well in that within 100 days, the government has put in place a cabinet, a Council of State. With these vital institutions in place, Ghanaians can now be rest assured that the Presidency is now set to roll out its policies.
Again the fact that the government has been able to create the impression that the wrangling that is normally associated with the transition has been reduced drastically is laudable.
On the promise to establish a lean, but effective and efficient government by cutting out ostentation and profligate expenditure; rationalising ministries and ministerial appointments; promoting service, humility and integrity as canons of government, the Government has kept its word.
Now we have about 74 ministers compared to 87 in the last term of the past government. This is significant but what we are yet to know is how much each of those ministries that have been cut out will cost the nation in terms of running them and where these monies have gone to.
On the environment and sanitation, the fact that there has been some form of campaign going on is impressive. But I must add that the issues concerning the environment are more of attitudinal and that would be difficult to change within 100 days.

ODO ASAFUAHBA, FRUIT SELLER

It is too early to judge the President. People are complaining but we should give him time.
We should give him about six to seven months and see what he and his government can do for the country.
I know that there is no money in the system but we have to manage until we feel the change in our pockets. I know by four years he would have accomplished what he set out to do.
Lorry fares have not been increased and so it is good for us.
Zoomlion is working and we know the sanitation problem would be better.
Unemployment is still a problem.
Someone just stole my money because he is unemployed. Hawkers like us are suffering and there should be work avenues for us to benefit.
There should be a little relief for us to feel the change.
If we don’t feel any better change after the four years we would advise ourselves but if we are satisfied we would vote for him again.

Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Journalist

Judging by what has already been done in terms of putting in place a cabinet, a Council of State, appointment of Ministers of State and their deputies as well as nominations of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, I must say the president has done well within the first 100 days in office.
On the issue of sanitation, well the present government can be commended for instituting a nationwide clean-up campaign. But instituting such a day alone is not enough, what I think must be done is to ensure that all metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies sustain the efforts with regular clean-up exercises to keep the environment clean.
On the media front, the government under the leadership of Prof. Mills has enjoyed some support in terms of access to information but in other parts of the country, some media houses have been left out of events organised by the state and this I think is not good.
I look forward to greater co-operation with the media by all officials of the government. Whatever it is you do not expect everyone to share your views. People will always differ on opinions and would not share the same philosophy.
On security, I will say so far, it has been encouraging. Citing Bawku for instance, security since the current government took office has been good. I pray that it will be improved so that Ghanaians will feel safe and secure to go about their legitimate duties devoid of fear and intimidation.

NICHOLAS NYAME, TRADER

We thank God for giving us a successful transition.
The President said there was no money in our pockets and that he would ensure that Ghanaians were living acceptable lives.
If the President, and for that matter the government, is doing well, Ghanaians should be the judges and not himself.
But now it is obvious that all of us are suffering. Even those in the NDC are complaining.
It is sad to note that the drivers who kicked the NPP out are those crying the loudest in these hard times.
The cedi is depreciating every day and those of us who sell we cannot even restock. Things are really difficult these days. There are no jobs in the system and young people are now turning into thieves. How can we survive a system like this?
Zoomlion had always been doing their work to keep the communities clean. All salaried workers who buy my wares are now complaining that they do not have money and are not buying like they used to. Four years will soon be here and we pray that things would change for the better.
We hope that it would get better. There should be money in the system and Ghanaians should be able to live their lives.
If the President and his government want to stay longer they should work harder.

KWABENA ASIEDU, COBBLER

When I look around not much has occurred after the President’s 100 days in office but I know things would get better.
I must say here that if the President would want to listen to everybody he better hand over the presidency.
He must continue to stay focused like he is doing and we believe with him things would change for the better.
He is on track and I am telling him to take his time and take the right decisions for us as Ghanaians and not be distracted by the things he hears.
In 100 days we all see that at least fares have not been increased and that is commendable.
It is also commendable that the President is appointing people from other parties to help solve the nation’s problems. That is good because we are all Ghanaians and that would help promote unity.
The drug menace is also being controlled by the government and crime I think is on the decline.
He has done well for now and we know that Ghana would be better off after the four-year term.
I want to see so many of the unemployed youth with employable skills and also Ghana being a safe place to live by the end of his term.

RICHARD MENSAH,
BUSINESSMAN

We have always enjoyed peace in this country and we are happy that the government has worked to sustain the peace.
All I have seen in these 100 days is the clean-up campaigns and for that we are happy about it.
The difference between the former government and this one is great and we all feel the difference.
If Ghanaians would be truthful we would say that things are not going the way we expected.
The President has not met our expectations considering his promises during the electioneering. We expect better days ahead.
Credit crunch or no credit crunch we are here in Ghana and we voted for a President who can make our lives better so he should please do well to do that.
There should not be any excuse.
Once his government is in place I hope that they would start serious work to ensure that Ghanaians feel the change.