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Tag: Dr. Smart Sarpong

  • NDC may lose Asawase’s seat over the removal of Muntaka as Chief Whip – Political scientist

    NDC may lose Asawase’s seat over the removal of Muntaka as Chief Whip – Political scientist

    A lecturer in political science at the Kumasi Technical University, Dr. Smart Sarpong, believes that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) may lose the Asawase seat as a result of Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka’s resignation as the Minority Chief Whip in parliament.

    According to him, the votes from the Ashanti Region form more than some of the votes from the party’s strongholds in other parts of the country.

    He insisted that the Asawase constituency contributed significantly to the electoral victory of the NDC.

    Dr. Sarpong said that he fears the agitation being witnessed by some constituents of Asawase could cause the party to suffer heavily in the general elections.

    In an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, he warned the NDC against moves that could weaken their chances of winning the next election, adding that “the NDC should not think that they have won the 2024 elections.”

    “Muntaka is the only NDC MP within the Central Business District (CBD) in the Ashanti Region, so why remove him?

    “NDC votes in the Ashanti region is more than many of votes from the so-called strongholds of the NDC. If the disturbances in Asawase reflects into votes, the NDC may lose the Asawase seat for the first time,” he stated.

    The political scientist further stated that if the current agitations and unresolved tensions are not tackled, it will definitely affect the votes that the NDC will receive from the region.

    “If you reflect on the gains made by the party in Asawase in 2020 and now that there’s division in the party, what it means is that NPP needs about 1,000 votes to snatch the seat from NDC and no one should take Muntaka for granted,” he told morning show host, Kwesi Parker-Wilson.

    He added that the electoral gains chalked by the NDC in the Ashanti Region was largely due to Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka’s role in the region.

    He called on the party to save itself by rescinding its decision to oust the Haruna Iddrisu administration from the leadership of parliament.

  • Public Hiring Freeze: It’s time for the youth to get out of laziness and be creative – Dr Sarpong

    Senior Research Fellow at Kumasi Technical University Dr. Smart Sarpong has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, not to be alarmed or alarmed by the declaration of a ban on hiring civil officials beginning in January 2023.

    On Thursday, November 24, the 2023 budget statement and economic policy were presented to Parliament by Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister.

    “A ban on new tax waivers for foreign corporations and a reassessment of tax exemptions for free zone, mining, oil, and gas industries; A hiring freeze for civil and public officials,” the minister declared.
    There won’t be any new government organisations created in 2023, and there won’t be any hampers in 2022.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Dr. Smart Sarpong noted that the annoucement by the Finance Minister should revive the spirit for creativity in the youth.

    He admonished the youth to challenge themselves to break their dependence on public employment and develop an attitude of entrepreneurship.

    “People use a lot of excuses to avoid work. Let’s change the narrative around this time they say there is a freeze. It means you have to get out of laziness and get something doing. Maybe, by the time we get out from the freeze, we would have had more entrepreneurs, more self-employed people; [every danger that comes] for me, every threat should come along with an opportunity that we all must ensure we take over . . . there will always be job available for those who are ready,” he advised.

    “Let the youth of this Republic become creative,” he added.

  • Public Hiring Freeze: It’s time for the youth to get out of laziness and be creative – Dr Sarpong

    Senior Research Fellow at Kumasi Technical University Dr. Smart Sarpong has urged Ghanaians, especially the youth, not to be alarmed or alarmed by the declaration of a ban on hiring civil officials beginning in January 2023.

    On Thursday, November 24, the 2023 budget statement and economic policy were presented to Parliament by Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister.

    “A ban on new tax waivers for foreign corporations and a reassessment of tax exemptions for free zone, mining, oil, and gas industries; A hiring freeze for civil and public officials,” the minister declared.
    There won’t be any new government organizations created in 2023, and there won’t be any hampers in 2022.

    Speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Dr. Smart Sarpong noted that the annoucement by the Finance Minister should revive the spirit for creativity in the youth.

    He admonished the youth to challenge themselves to break their dependence on public employment and develop an attitude of entrepreneurship.

    “People use a lot of excuses to avoid work. Let’s change the narrative around this time they say there is a freeze. It means you have to get out of laziness and get something doing. Maybe, by the time we get out from the freeze, we would have had more entrepreneurs, more self-employed people; [every danger that comes] for me, every threat should come along with an opportunity that we all must ensure we take over . . . there will always be job available for those who are ready,” he advised.

    “Let the youth of this Republic become creative,” he added.

  • I would have resigned if I was the finance minister – Dr. Smart Sarpong on ‘Ken Must Go’

    Dr. Smart Sarpong, a Senior Research Fellow of the Kumasi Technical University, has backed calls for the removal of Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister.

    All NPP Members of Parliament have come to a consensus that Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta should leave office.

    The call to remove Mr. Ofori-Atta started with over 80 members of the Majority Caucus and now the entire Caucus says they are in alignment with the position of the eighty members.

    Nonetheless, the Finance Minister remains at post as the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to the MPs to let him finish Ghana’s deal for financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Reacting to the ongoing agitations, Dr. Smart Sarpong was of a few words stating; “I would have resigned if it were me and allowed someone else to take my place.”

    He advised the Minister to exit office and use his expertise to help his successor.

    Source: Ghanaweb