|
EPA
is a prescription for perpetual underdevelopment of Africa –
Abloso
Ho, Nov. 13, GNA - Ghana would lose her sovereignty and
perpetually remain under-developed by signing to the
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Mr Seth Abloso, Acting Head, Organization Department of
Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) who made the observation
said “In my opinion the government would then have declared
itself irrelevant and redundant”.
He was addressing a joint meeting of Volta Regional and
District Councils of Labour in Ho on Wednesday.
Mr Abloso said the current state of the country’s rice
industry arising out of trade liberalization was exactly
what would be happening to the entire economy should the
country accede to that agreement.
the agreement would open the
flood gates for European goods to flood the Ghanaian market
to the detriment of local industries.
Mr Abloso said because taxes on foreign goods would be
eliminated under the agreement government’s capacity to fund
development would be blown away given the country’s reliance
on such taxes to fund its development programmes.
He said Ghana would then be surrendering the commanding
heights of local organizations to foreigners by signing to
the agreement.
the EPA would be higher
unemployment, poverty, crime, more street children, teenage
mothers and rural to urban migration.
He said EPA would increase hardships among the citizenry but
because those in government would be insulated against such
hardships it would be difficult for them to come to terms
with such problems.
“That is what EPA can do to us, not that we love protests
but to caution government, let us reflect the mood of the
people forcefully,” Mr Abloso said. He therefore urged
leadership of the various Councils of Labour to discuss the
issues with their membership and the public.
Mr Abloso said Labour was ready to support government in
taking measures to protect the vital interests of the
country.
GNA
|
