Renowned broadcaster and musician, Ahmed Abubakar, popularly known as Blakk Rasta has stressed on the importance of economic independence in shaping legislative outcomes in Ghana’s Parliament.
According to him, passing bills and legislation without economic autonomy renders them ineffective and meaningless.
“You can pass any bill at all, if you are not economically independent, the passage of all these bills will be absolutely meaningless” he said during a recent episode of the Black Pot segment on 3FM Urban Blend show on February 23.
He emphasized that while Parliament may enact a wide range of bills, but their impact remains limited if the country remains economically dependent on external forces.
“Parliament can decide to pass any bill at all, from archaeology to zoology, from Addis Ababa all the way down to Harare Zimbabwe, it will not make any meaning if we remain economically dependent” he asserted.
Blakk Rasta recalled the passage of the controversial electronic transaction levy (e-levy) despite widespread public opposition. He condemned the role of certain parliamentarians whom he described as greedy, thoughtless, and selfish for pushing through the bill, which he referred to as demonic.
“Look at what we went through to pass the E-Levy and what has come out of it? Weren’t we assured that Ghana will not go to the IMF if we pass the e-levy? Right after passing the bill, we went knocking on the doors of the IMF, making it meaningless passing this demonic e-levy bill in Parliament,” he lamented.
The anti-corruption and patriotism campaigner, further warned against the potential consequences of economic dependence on issues such as the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bill. “If we are not careful, it is the same thing that is going to happen to this gay bill that so many people are enthusiastic about”.
“How can you pass and implement laws that the donors and sponsors of your economy are not in favour of?” Blakk Rasta quizzed.
His commentary comes on the back of news reports that the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, named, Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, is only one step away from passage after Parliament concluded the consideration stage.
He entreats Ghanaians to stop behaving as if Ghana’s independence was a mistake and prioritize economic sovereignty in order to safeguard Ghana’s interests and autonomy.
“If we are not ready for our independence, shall we return to slavery?” Blakk Rasta reiterated.
By Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi