Host of Kokrokoo on Peace FM, Kwame Sefa-Kayi has said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has so far been lousy at communicating their ideas and achievements.
In a tell it as it is interview with Lexis Bill on Personality Profile on Joy FM Thursday, he said there is more room for improvement for government to articulate its policies and programmes to the people.
“It does not lie in my mouth to say that government has bitten more than it can chew. There were so many promises it is obvious that you cannot judge them fully in 18 months but it is obvious that they are overwhelmed a bit by things around them,” he said.
Assessing the performance of the Akufo-Addo led government so far, the multiple award-winning journalist said the performance of the cedi against the dollar and major international currencies has shown government “real pepper”.
“It is up to those who have the expertise and experience to ensure that it comes down or it stays there,” he said.
Mr Sefa-Kayi said it is high time Ghanaians know their politicians well enough to read between the lines that when they make lofty promises most of them will not be attained.
Lauding the president for implementing the Free SHS programme, he said it is the boldest decision any government has taken.
“It would come with its challenges but if you don’t do it now you will never do it again. As we go along let’s correct the challenges…if you don’t educate us, we are going to have major challenges going forward,” he said.
According to him, government would have done a fantastic job if it had focused on the Free SHS policy and its Planting for Food and Jobs plus other Agric related policies.
“At the end of the day, what will go to education and health will be allocated there but you cannot have a salad of all programmes because it is not realistic to do them…if you are voted out so be it you would have made your mark,” he said.
Rating the performance of the government so far, he said he will score them four out of 10 points.
Political appointment
Mr Sefa-Kayi denied being offered a post to serve in the Akufo-Addo government but said some elements within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) thought he could serve in some capacity and offered him a position.
Although he did not open up on what the position was, he said he declined it because he loves what he does in the media.
“I didn’t feel the time is right…maybe one day I will do if I feel it is right, I will do it…I love what I do and where I sit and I am not willing to trade it. Not now,” he said.
Mr Sefa-Kayi who has been an advocate for the legalisation of growth of weed in the country said there is the need for a matured conversation about marijuana.
He explained his advocacy was not a call for the legalization of smoking weed but for it to be used for commercial activities under very secured controlled environment.
“But while we are busy jailing people for having five rolls of marijuana there is a billion-dollar marijuana industry out there, what are we doing about?
Mr Sefa-Kayi said prominent individuals like the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan made the same call.
“There must be something that we are missing out on, I am looking more at the medicinal and research purposes and not the social and recreational purposes,” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline.com