A statesman, Sir Sam Esson Jonah, has urged policymakers to be more sensitive to the feelings and needs of the citizens as they initiate measures to navigate the difficult path of economic restructuring.
He said while addressing the challenges required sacrifices from everybody, the revival process must be empathetic such that it did not exacerbate the difficulties facing citizens.
Addressing the fifth session of the 55th graduation of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Sir Sam, who is the Chancellor of the university, also advised against finger pointing in the midst of the crisis, stating that “this is not the time for blame game.”
Instead, the Executive Chairman of Jonah Capital said, “We need to focus on a constructive spirit to get us out of the mess we find ourselves in”.
The ceremony was for persons who completed various postgraduate programmes of study in the 2021/2022 academic year.
It was graced by the Paramount Chief of the Oguaa traditional area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, some Members of Parliament (MPs) and the academic community.
Difficult transition
Sir Sam said the while ceremony was a momentous one for the graduates, it happened at a time of great uncertainty and adversity for the nation.
“We are facing unprecedented times against the backdrop of complex, volatile and uncertain economic and geopolitical developments.
“This situation has fostered a growing sense of hopelessness and helplessness, particularly among our youth, a development which has the potential to undermine the security and stability of our nation,” the UCC chancellor said.
He described the economic situation as “very challenging,” with interest rates and inflation at intolerably high levels.
With the local currency also volatile, the business executive, who chairs the boards of a number of companies across the world, said it made for “a dangerous cocktail.”
“As we have been witnessing, there are no pretty policy choices for dealing with this situation,” he said.
Way out
Turning his attention to potential solutions, Sir Jonah said now was not the time for business as usual but a time to take tough and bold decisions to help assuage the pain of the people and stabilise the situation.
“As we have been witnessing, there are no pretty policy choices for dealing with this situation.
