The flagbearer of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Rev. Christian Kwabena Andrews also known as Kyiri Abosom, has rubbished the gold-for-oil deal launched by Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to help the country address the depreciation of the cedi.
According to him, the move, in its current form, is not in the country’s best interest, considering Ghana’s rich mineral resources, including gold and oil.
Speaking in a one-on-one interview with Lantam Papanko on the GHToday Hard Talk segment on GHOne TV, Rev. Andrews voiced his dissatisfaction with the management of the country’s resources.
“We don’t need gold to collect oil,” he noted.
“If you want to sell gold, you can sell the gold to buy the oil. But, you see, I don’t understand why we have oil in our country, yet you don’t want to use it to develop your nation. Instead, you go to another country to buy oil. Why do we have oil here?”
Rev. Andrews further stressed on how Ghana could utilize its rich mineral resources, such as gold, to enhance the country’s development.
“Use the gold to acquire an airplane. An airplane can last for years. Acquire a train. A train can be here for years. You will benefit your children and their children, and it will have a lasting impact on their lives.”
“The people of Dubai have oil. They did not give it to investors to come and exploit; instead, they employed experts to help them extract and sell the oil to fund their policies and build their country.”
“So, if we have oil here, why do we give it to someone else to get 3% or 10% in return? Are we not serious?” GUM is coming to build this very country using our own people.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Agnes Gyamfuaa Ofosu