Princess Avenyoh
Former Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare says the government’s claims of economic recovery do not reflect what Ghanaians are experiencing daily.
She told Parliament during the mid-year budget debate that people continue to suffer under the weight of high living costs.
Abena Osei Asare criticised the government’s focus on economic data, saying it ignores what ordinary citizens go through in markets and homes.
“Mr Speaker, ask about the prices of plain rice and cassava, not all the fancy things the Minister mentioned.”
She argued that inflation data doesn’t reflect real life, where the prices of basic food items continue to rise each week.
She also raised concerns about contradictions in government policy, especially on food pricing and rising transportation costs.
“The Minister says he’s fighting food inflation, yet new policies will raise transport fares by 30 to 40 percent,” she said.
Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson had earlier claimed prices are falling due to sound economic management and fiscal discipline.
Abena Osei Asare, however said those claims do not align with what Ghanaians feel, urging better people-centered economic interventions.
She called on the government to focus on policies that directly improve daily life, not just macroeconomic figures and targets.