No matter whether party is in power, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, the recently-retired Speaker of Parliament, has emphasised the need of having an impartial body handle the nation's oil discussions.
He argued that the group should include subject-matter specialists from the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party.
Now that we are a developed oil nation, Norway is guiding us in the right direction. The new collaboration, which should yield us at least 40% of the oil, is the name of the game, according to him.
Ofori-Atta
In Accra yesterday[July 6, 2022], Professor Oquaye gave the inaugural memorial lecture in honour of Okyenhene Ba Dr Jones Akwasi Amoako Atta Ofori-Atta.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, traditional leaders, ministers of state, and members of parliament attended the event, which took place in the Great Hall of the University of Ghana (MPs).
There were also a number of other dignitaries there, including members of the diplomatic corps, members of the late statesman's family, including the current finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and academics.
Financial troubles
Prof. Oquaye found it fascinating that the country's economic problems, which were mostly caused by outside influences, had occurred at the same time as the celebration of Dr. Ofori-life. Atta's
"It is essential to inquire: Based on what we have heard about Dr. Ofori-Atta above, what would he say if he were living today? Would the bold Ghanaian patriot remain silent or would he provide sound counsel for the country he cherished? He would undoubtedly speak up! He would highlight the economic impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic, its worldwide tendencies, and the clear economic effects of the Russia-Ukraine War, among other things. But he was not going to stop there. He will draw attention to the systemic flaws in our economic system that keep us vulnerable and dangerously reliant on imports, he added.
He explained that, in the event that a global catastrophe results in the complete confiscation of foreign food, "Should we pass away? No wheat, pork, or rice. No imported rice, no imported bottled water, no imported cooking oil, no imported Indomie, etc. If we can't endure in this situation, then we're not a country ".
Busy
Speaking about the problems in society, the former Speaker emphasised that "Ghanaians were continually occupied in the country, receiving delivery of flour, scented rice, 10 year old frozen chicken, and even toothpicks.
We live in a country where deceit was overtly and visibly trendy in both high and low positions; a country that has disregarded all growth principles and expected to continue doing so. A nation where a public event that should last an hour is recklessly prolonged for four hours; a nation where defying all development principles and expecting to develop; a nation where lateness is "normal" — from the wedding day to every activity in life, and people are expected to be late," he said.
Prof. Oquaye recalled that he made time to hear Dr. Ofori-Atta explain the principles of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition on a number of occasions. He also recalled that Dr. Ofori-Atta frequently emphasised the necessity for the State to be guided by clearly defined concepts, beliefs, and values.
Additionally, he reported Dr. Ofori-Atta as noting that he always felt sorry when individuals skipped work because it had rained during his speech on discipline and timeliness.
"This country is rife with indiscipline. This lecture may be devoted to absenteeism, tardiness (African time syndrome), and insipid corruption at all levels and in all institutions and organisations, including the Church of Christ. It is awful to remember that some of our compatriots steal asphalt intended for road repairs or construction overnight while we moan about our progress. Some people steal the metals used to manufacture the railroad tracks on the new rail lines being built throughout Ghana. Others steal the oil from generators, just to have the whole generator blown up," he claimed.