Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rt. Rev. Prof Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mantey, is pleading with Ghanaians to keep their criticism of the nation’s current economic difficulties to a minimum.

He is concerned that entrenched complaints will worsen the economic problems and might make it harder to attract investments.

However, he wants the government to spend less in order to address the economic slump more quickly.

Though the economic downturn is a global phenomenon, there have been intense public outcry in the management of the Ghanaian economy.

The government has struggled to quell the growing anxiety of citizens.

However, Rt. Rev. Prof. J.O.Y. Mantey fears constant denigration puts the economy in a negative light to affect investor confidence.

He was speaking at an event to climax the centenary anniversary celebration of the Asante Presbytery in Kumasi.

“Ghana has become very difficult. Things have become difficult globally. But many Ghanaians are not educated enough to know there is a serious world crisis. They do not believe you when you talk about it. It has been highly politicized.  Many use it to score political points. But analysis as these, do not convince us the educated ones,” he said.

Prof Mantey however asked the government to proffer solutions to the economic challenges quickly.

“I plead with Ghanaians not to sit on national media and speak ill of the country. The more you say negative things about your nation, the more prices of items go up. There is no investor who will take you seriously. I think that is what the President meant when he said “Sika mpe dede”, he cautioned.

Meanwhile, Minister for Trades and Industry, Alan Kyeremanteng, entreated Ghanaians to exercise patience as the government seeks solutions to the economic challenges.

He assured that the government is doing its best to salvage the situation.

“The President himself admits we are in crisis. We are finding solutions out of the crisis. Though you may not get any feedback from us, kindly note we empathize with you,” he pleaded.

The Centenary celebration, which started in 2021, involved clean ups, blood donation, awards ceremony and a candlelight procession.

The theme is “100 Years of Evangelistic and Ecclesiastical Work in Asante: The Past, the Present and the Future.”

Asafohene, Acheamfuor Asafo Boakye Agyemang Bonsu, pledged to donate a parcel of land for the Presbytery’s Centenary Commemorative Hospital project.

The Presbytery is contributing to socio-economic development through the establishment of circular schools, healthcare facilities among others.