General Secretary of the Christian Council, Rev Opuni, has said the growing spate of demonstrations by civil society groups and Ghanaians indicates a loss of confidence in government.
He said though government has constantly indicated that it is taking measures to resolve Ghana’s economic challenges, the rising cost of living shows otherwise.
“We have heard about some efforts government is making but I doubt if the cost of medical bills have gone down and I doubt if salaries and remunerations have also improved … from the little I know I’m not sure much difference has happened for the recent days and age,” Rev. Opuni stated.
According to him, ordinary Ghanaians assess the level of the economy and conditions of life from “what they encounter as they pick transport, they go to market, they pick their rent, as they buy fuel“.
He said though professionals express their opinion about Ghana’s inflation rate and other issues relating to the economy, it is the concerns of the “ordinary” and the governed that are necessary and should be considered.
“You must remember that governance is social contract. Politicians go to the people and tell them give me power, vote for me and I will make life better for you,” Mr. Opuni said.
He said the habit of politicians condemning and attacking Ghanaians we expose their bad deeds is a sign of “political immaturity”.
He, therefore, called on civil society groups to hold Ghanaian leaders accountable for the current economic challenges.
“Democratic leadership requires that leaders must be held accountable and we must mobilize citizens to institute a social action so that we don’t just vote every four years and remain timid. Votes in democracy is not just giving power to make people comfortable, it is action, it is work.
“We must mobilize citizens for social action,” he said.