Mere speeches won’t cut it, we want something substantive – #FixTheCountry Protestors to Finance Minister

• Posted on May 10, 2021May 10, 2021
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

One of the #FixTheCountry protest conveners says they are unconvinced by government’s response to their activism.

Oliver Barker-Vormawor said claims by Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, on Sunday regarding efforts made by government to alleviate the citizens’ plight are mere rhetoric.

He wants government to translate the listed interventions into action.

“I don’t think people are at the point where they feel or are convinced that this speech alone does it. I think the people want something substantive in action,” he said on JoyNews.

At a press conference on the back of the #FixTheCountry uproar, Mr Ofori-Atta detailed a list of interventions pencilled towards getting the country on track.

He reiterated, among other things, a collaboration with Sanitation Ministry to improve water supply and Roads Ministry’s efforts to reduce congestion on the major highways.

He added, “We are fast-tracking the implementation of the $200million Jobs and Skills Programme to enhance job creation significantly.”

“This intervention is designed to facilitate new and expanded private sector businesses to employ a lot more people. This we believe is a more sustainable way to rebuild this economy instead of expanding Government employment schemes,” the Minister said.

The press conference was held while the protestors concurrently demonstrated on social media using the hashtag #FixMotherGhana.

While complying with a court order, the organisers have facilitated a virtual version of the protest dubbed #FixMotherGhana, a play on words referencing the commemoration of mothers on the same day.

Timelines on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms have been flooded with images and videos of aggrieved articulating their plight and the need for improved management systems by successive governments.

Speaking after briefing, the legal practitioner stated that countless unfulfilled promises by subsequent government renders the commitment s made by Ken Ofori-Atta on Sunday afternoon hard to believe.

“We have grown an attitude of doubting the voice of government. I think it has become part of our culture to, sort of be dismissive about when government says what they want to do, because it never happens,” he said.

-Joy