FixtheCountry trend: Gov't reacts; set to address 5 concerns raised by campaigners
Social media went into a frenzy last week Monday when fuel prices interestingly shot up at some fuel stations.
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The trend, FixTheCountry came up after Ghanaians believed they needed and deserved accountability from the seating government after making a lot of promises.
The trend which was started by Ghanaian Twitter influencer, KalyJay, whose real name is Joshua Boye-Doe in reaction to push the concerns of citizens and demand accountability from the government, was well accepted by many social media users.
Source: UGC
In response to the concerns raised, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has assured that the government will swiftly address some five concerns raised by the #fixthecountry campaign.
YEN.com.gh has, however, listed some of the concerns raised by the youth that the government has promised to address anytime soon.
According to a report filed by Graphic.com.gh, while addressing a press briefing, Ofori-Atta said the government will in the coming days address concerns of the #fixthecountry campaigners including; unemployment, water shortage, and congestion on major highways in the country.
He also acknowledged the concerns of the protest movement, calling for a collaboration "to solve the problems that face this country".
1. Potable drinking water
The finance minister said he is working with the Minister for Water and Sanitation to immediately ensure potable water to areas with felt need, especially in the most urban areas.
2. Road network
Ofori-Atta explained that he is working with the Ministers of Roads and Highways, Transport and Interior to address congestion along the major highways.
3. Employment and job creation
He stated that the government is fast-tracking the implementation of the US$200million Jobs and Skills Programme to enhance job creation significantly.
This intervention, according to him, is designed to facilitate new and expanded private sector businesses to employ a lot more people.
4. Intervention programmes
The government will be rolling out eight interventions under the Ghana Cares "Obaatanpa" programme.
They will be in the Health, Agriculture, Tourism, Trade, Digitisation, Science and technology, Housing and financial services.
5. Financing private sector
Ofori-Atta said by the end of July, government will have a new Development Bank that will provide long-term wholesale financing to the private sector through Commercial banks.
In a related development, government seems to have shifted the anger of conveners of the #FixTheCountry protests to successive governments and not the Akufo-Addo administration.
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, addressed the media on May 9 over the #FixTheCountry protests saying what conveners are angry about is “a failure on the part of successive governments to improve the lives of the citizenry”.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
