The Member of Parliament for Tano North and Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Dr. Gideon Boako, says Ghana’s economic recovery cannot be considered complete unless improvements in key economic indicators lead to better living conditions for ordinary citizens.
Dr. Boako said the true measure of economic performance should not be limited to figures such as inflation, fiscal balances and economic growth.
Rather, it should reflect the everyday experiences of unemployed graduates, traders, farmers, contractors and households.
He noted that citizens are more concerned about finding jobs, keeping businesses running, accessing good roads and meeting their daily needs than simply hearing about positive economic statistics in government reports.
“Ultimately, citizens do not vote for economic statistics. They vote for better lives,” he said.
Dr. Boako added that the real verdict on the economy would be determined by “the unemployed graduate searching for work, the trader trying to keep her business alive, the contractor waiting to be paid, the farmer transporting produce over poor roads and every Ghanaian family still waiting for the promise of economic recovery to arrive at their doorstep.”
He said Ghana must move beyond headline economic improvements and focus on achieving broad-based and inclusive growth that creates jobs, expands opportunities and improves living standards.
According to him, sustainable economic stability should serve as a foundation for increased productivity, employment and improved livelihoods, rather than being treated as an achievement on its own.
“Until that happens, growth without visible progress will remain an incomplete success,” Dr. Boako said.
He stressed that Ghana cannot achieve broad-based, shared and inclusive growth without strong and sustainable economic stability.
