COME AND RESCUE US: GHANAIANS CRY OUT TO DSP

 

Members of DSP engaging with the Market Women at Nima

It was a sunny and busy day around Ayawaso Central as the Democratic Socialist Party, a simulated political party in the Ghana Institute of Journalism, hit the streets to engage citizens of the country on their concerns and what they expect from us as we seek to serve them better. This commendable initiative was driven by the party's plans to formulate policies that are people-centered and designed in a way that brings hope to the people of Ghana. 

The party’s main goal was to target the people who contribute to the nation’s quota, such as market women, traders, businesses, artisans, transport operators and owners, civil servants, students, and ordinary Ghanaians. 

Osman Abubakari-Sadiq, Presidential Candidate of DSP and other party members engaging a trader at Nima Market

The concerns of the people were very glaring, and the common issue running through almost everyone we spoke to is the extreme hardship conditions that are affecting their way of living. For instance, the conversation with the market women in Nima, was centred on a single issue: the price spike of goods at wholesalers. Goods’ prices increase two or three times per week. Customers always complain before making a purchase, or do not make a purchase at all, because there is no money in circulation.

It was as though the engagements with the people were redundant. However, the peculiarity with regard to the suffering of every individual we encountered was humbling. A widow trader bemoaned that things aren't the same as they used to be, when people were nice enough to bless widows because of the "blessings" associated with them; people are struggling and don't have enough to offer charity. 

Some market women are hoping that there will be a provision for a larger market so that everyone can have a shed for the appropriate items. Furthermore, some have said that it would be preferable if most things were manufactured locally in order to lower costs slightly because imported goods are more expensive.

National Organizer, Nana Bempong Amankwah,  and Party Chairperson, Priscilla Amoah engaging with a trader at the Nima Market. 

A trader who sells clothes expressed her displeasure with regards to how there is no leadership in the country. She conceded that there have been economic crises in almost every country in the world, but believes the leaders of the country are not being honest with the citizens. She claims the hardships of this country are killing more people than COVID-19! 

An artisan with two kids, in his view, does not believe there is hope in this country. He would not have any second thoughts when the opportunity comes for him to leave. He said his boss does not see his relevance as he does not bring any work as a painter in as much as the price of paint per litre is increasing astronomically, which means he would have to charge more for workmanship and people refuse to meet the asking price.

National Organizer for DSP, Nana Bempong Amankwah, and Solace Ayiku, Women's Organizer engaging with two artisans at Asylum Down

As a party, we are not ignorant about the incompetence and failure of the current government to manage the affairs of the country. However, it was a revealing moment for us as we engaged with them about their plights as citizens of this country. They urged the party to continue the hard-work and rescue them from the unconcerned leadership approach by the government and the extreme hardship they are facing as citizens of this country. This encouraged us as in our quest to take result-oriented actions that seek to bring hope to the country. 

As a matter of fact, the women’s organizer, Lilly Solace Ayiku, who took part in the activity, was rather inspired by the people’s unravelling work ethic to thrive in the shackles of bad leadership and extreme hardship and work even harder to bring victory to the party and rescue the people. She said, "I have never been more inspired than today as I took part in this exercise. Indeed, I am more than ready to work even harder to bring hope to the people. I believe the people were also inspired today as we assured them that we would serve them better as they deserve to not live as fighters in their own country. We believe victory will be ours as a party, and we will take their concerns into account as we develop policies centred on the average Ghanaian”

Deputy National Organizer, Humu Shaibu middle, and Lucy Abla left with a trader. 

Activity such as engagement with ordinary Ghanaians  is one of the many great initiatives the Democratic Socialist Party plans to take to formulate policies. The policies will be centred around the people. In effect, it will help bring the hope the citizens of the country are yearning for. 

Written by Nana Bempong Amankwah and Emmanuella Eshun

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