There’s no positive change since Ghana became oil producing country – Catholic Bishops’ President

The president of the Ghana Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, is not enthused about the current state of Ghana’s economy.

He said that despite Ghana producing oil and also being endowed with mineral resources, there is nothing to write home about the country’s wobbly economy.

“There have been no significant positive changes in the economy since we became an oil-producing country. What happened to the gold and other mineral resources? Why are most of our roads in such a deplorable state? Why do we keep going to the IMF? Why do we keep borrowing so much when we are a rich nation?”

He took a dig at successive governments for the level of deterioration in the country as well as the surge in corruption.

“Both governments keep borrowing, and we are now in a deep financial crisis. Why are we in this economic and financial quagmire? The massive uncontrolled corruption is suffocating the nation. It appears corruption is legalized. What should Ghanaians do since the existing form of democracy help only a few and leaves the majority behind? What about the impunity and arrogance of some politicians and their defence of corruption?”

“Should the constitution not be changed or bettered for it to work for all Ghanaians instead of for a few? Should the legal system not be re-equipped to uproot corruption? What about our Parliament where the interest of the people is sacrificed for personal and party interests? Why have we not implemented the findings of the Constitutional Review Committee?

“Can the governments explain to us why we are in this economic mess? What explanations can the two political parties give to Ghanaians for the unfavourable agreements we sign on our oil, minerals, power generation etc.? Countries that have these resources in abundance are rich. Why do we remain poor? Ghanaians no longer accept the old explanations that the Governments of Ghana have been giving.”

Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi made the remarks on Monday, November 13, 2023, at the opening ceremony of the 2023 plenary assembly of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference held in the Sunyani Diocese.

He said the political changes on the continent must be a wake-up call for politicians to amend “our constitution and legal systems in a peaceful democratic way, in a manner that makes the government work for the good of all the people of Ghana.”