Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has chastised President Akufo-Addo for failing to address concerns raised by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) until the Ga Manste intervened.
On October 19, 2022, members of the Association, who are against the high taxes imposed by the government and the continuous depreciation of the cedi, closed their shops in protest.
Shops remained closed the next day, leaving customers stranded and furthering public rage against the Akufo-Addo administration.
Despite the consequences, President Akufo-Addo made no attempt to respond.
However, on October 20, 2022, GUTA suspended their strike following a meeting with Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru, while announcing that it had been given the opportunity to meet the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, and lay their grievances and recommendations before him.
This development, according to Mr Nartey George, is unacceptable on the part of President Akufo-Addo, who seemingly is unappreciative of the hardships Ghanaians are facing.
In addition, he claimed that GUTA was being gullible in believing that the President would solve their problems.
“GUTA, they must be joking. You thank who? Akufo-Addo has been sleeping? It had to take the Ga Mantse to call him to know that GUTA members are dying? GUTA believes the rhetoric from the government?” he asked.
“You have a President who at this time, when businesses are collapsing, people cannot buy critical medication because of the increasing cost, is on a political tour. This is a President who held over 22 national broadcasts during COVID because it was an opportunity for him and his colleagues to loot state purse during COVID procurement,” he explained.
The Ningo-Prampram MP has called out President Akufo-Addo to “show leadership” in present times.
Currently, a working committee made up of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, National Security and GUTA is to be established to resolve the challenges.
Source: The Independent Ghana