TOR under probe

Friday, October 23, 2009

From Edmund Mingle & Eunice Kotoku, Tema.Following raging allegations by workers of the Tema Oil Refinery that some members of management and Ministers of State were involved in deals that have accounted for the Refinery’s inability to secure crude oil supply for operation, President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday declared his intension to have all those allegations investigated.

“Every allegation about TOR is being investigated,” he told a charged assembly of workers during a visit to the Refinery at Tema.

President Mills, who was at the Refinery to familiarize himself with the problems confronting the country’s only crude oil refinery plant, assured the workers that all those found to be engaging in deals that affect the effective operations of TOR would be dealt with, irrespective of the personalities involved.

“No body will get away with any malfeasance,” he stressed.

He observed that “there are a lot of charlatans in the oil business,” but noted that “we are learning fast.”

President Mills, who held a closed door meeting with the management and labour union leaders of TOR before meeting the workers, assured them that the Refinery would soon have crude oil for operations resume.

He said he was also much eager to see TOR have crude oil, adding that “the reason for my visit here is that I want crude oil.”

He urged the workers to exercise patience and restraint in their demands on management, and said that although their demands were “very legitimate,” there was need for decorum and cordiality in the interactions and negotiations between both parties.

“We know the situation is not the best,” he said, but was optimistic that the Refinery would overcome the challenges.

He thanked the workers for boldly voicing out their concerns, which he described as good for the interest of TOR and the nation, adding that the problems of the Refinery would have been solved long ago if the workers had been loud in their concerns in the past.

As part of the meeting, President Mills addressed a number of questions from the workers who spoke passionately and angrily about their concerns ranging from issues about the unavailability of crude oil, poor salary adjustments and allegations of corrupt deals at TOR.

Currently, the Refinery is engulfed in huge debts making it virtually impossible to secure crude from suppliers.

The President’s visit followed a call on Tuesday by the Unionised Petroleum Workers urging the President to intervene to help find a lasting solution to the crude oil problem facing TOR.

In a Resolution passed at a joint Emergency General Meeting by members of the Ghana Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers' Union, and the Professional and Managerial Staff Union of the Union of Industries Commerce and Finance at TOR, they stressed the President's intervention was crucial as series of discussions at different levels between the Union leadership and "the powers that be" had not yielded any positive results..In addition, the resolution pointed out that, "TOR has not been about its core business of refining crude oil, a situation which at various times of the year, led to fuel shortages, with serious implications on trade and commerce at various sectors of the economy, and for that matter, some level of hardships on the Ghanaian populace."The resolution further said the unavailability of crude oil to make the plant run, "has a consequential deterioration on the installations, which will ultimately add to the already huge TOR debt due to cost of maintenance."

Dr. Kwame Ampofo, acting Managing Director of TOR, earlier before the President addressed the workers, informed that the management and labour union leaders reached a number of decisions at the closed door meeting with the President, and said their leaders would inform them of the decisions in due course.

Albert Kojo Pinto, Local Union Chairman declined to disclose the decisions to newsmen after the meeting, but said the Union would hold a staff durbar today to announce the details.

Govt Plans Pension Scheme For Farmers

Friday August 07, 2009
By Edmund Mingle

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday declared his administration’s unflinching support for cocoa, coffee and sheanut farmers, emphasising that necessary measures would be implemented to improve the sector and their welfare.

As a demonstration of that commitment, the President said the government was considering the establishment of a pension scheme to cater for the welfare of the farmers in their old age.

Addressing national executives of the Ghana Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers Association who called on him at the Castle, Osu, the President said since their sector represented the foundation of the national economy, “the needed support should be given to those who work to sustain the economy.”

He said more assistance and motivation would be given them to give of their best.Besides, he said, incentives would be provided to encourage the youth to go into cocoa farming in which over 600,000 Ghanaians were currently engaged.

“I can assure you that we will make the sector attractive to the youth,” the President said, adding that the involvement of more youth in the sector would provide effective replacement for the ageing farmers of the three cash crops.

He further gave the assurance that the cocoa producer price would be adjusted upwards at the appropriate time for the cocoa season.

“You continue to do a lot for the economy and the least we can do is to support you to contribute more,” he said.
He promised that the concerns would be looked into so as to remove the bottlenecks adversely affecting their performance and welfare.

Alhaji Imoro Issifu Alhassan, acting secretary of the association, presenting the farmers’ concerns to the President, called for a re-organised mass cocoa spraying exercise to make the exercise more effective and efficient.

He lauded the government initiative to partner the private sector for an enhanced extension service to farmers, and encouraged the government to speed up action on that initiative, describing it as very critical for the farmers.
He pledged the association’s preparedness to partner the government to curb the smuggling of cocoa and fertilizer to neighbouring countries.

“The association will not hesitate to expose any member found to be engaged in such activities,” he assured and urged government to institute a reward scheme that would motivate farmers to expose those involved in the smuggling of the chemical and produce.

Touching on the sheanut industry, Alhaji Alhassan called for the establishment of a separate board for sheanut to oversee the effective management of the sheanut industry, currently under the Cocoa Board.
He also called for more attention to the coffee industry which, he said, was the most neglected among the three cash crops.

Coca-Cola to invest $60m in Ghana

By Edmund Mingle
The Coca Cola Company, the leading global beverage producer says it is set to invest over 60million dollars in its operations in the country, as well as support government’s initiatives to develop the beverage industry.

The company is currently investing about 30 million dollars in the establishment of a new factory in the Central Region for the production of juice and other beverages, after which it would invest another 31million dollars to expand its existing operational structures in the country.

Curts Ferguson, Head of North-West Africa for Coca Cola Equatorial Africa, who informed President John Evans Atta Mills of the of the company’s intentions when he led executives of the firm to call on the President at the Castle, Osu in Accra yesterday, said they were very committed to increasing their investments in Ghana.

“Ghana presents a huge potential for us to grow our beverage business,” he told journalists after the meeting with the President.

He said the company decided in branch into the production of other beverages such as pineapple juice in Ghana because the company, which is growing 10 per cent annually in Ghana, could rely on raw material supply in the country.

Mr. Ferguson, who is in charge 28 countries in northern and western Africa, was optimistic that the expansion of their production scale would create more jobs to complement government’s job creation efforts.

Already, he said the company’s decentralization of its product distribution structures, that has created over 130 distribution centres, particularly manned by women across the country, was part of measures to make the operation of the company more beneficial to Ghanaians.

He announced that the company would sponsor the 2010 World Cup Trophy Tour to Ghana on October 15 and 16, in which the cup would be taken through Ghana and other African countries.

President Mills, earlier commended the company for the investments in Ghana, and assured them of government’s commitment to ensure congenial business atmosphere and security of investment.

He said the government was happy that Coca Cola was branching into other areas of production using local raw material, saying it would enhance agriculture production, especially in the fruits sector.

Apart from the boost the company’s investment would give to the local economy, President Mills said it would further strengthen the ties between Ghana and the United States where the company has its headquarters.

The President urged investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in the country, and promised government’s continuous support and cooperation to ensure to ensure that their investment inure to the mutual benefit of Ghanaians.

President interacts with NUGS

By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday gave the strongest indication of government’s commitment to increase access to tertiary education in the country, saying that the government was reviewing education policies in that regard.

The measures for increased access to tertiary education, which is part of a comprehensive policy on education to be presented to Parliament before the end of the year, he said was to ensure that there were more educational facilities to admit more qualified candidates who may have been denied access.

President Mills, who said these when the Executive of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), called on him at the Castle in Accra, the government considered the development of the youth critical to nation’s future, and would therefore commit resources to improve the educational system.

Resources, he said would be channeled into the development and expansion of educational infrastructure and other facilities required for effective and productive tertiary education.

For a start, the government, he said was committing GHc 12.1million to enhance the Students Loan Scheme, as well as review the loans upwards for the 2010 disbursement formula.

Although the government would want to have all students supported under the loan scheme, he said measures were being undertaken in collaboration with the Council for Tertiary Education, to ensure that the loans went to those who really needed them.

Responding to a suggestion by the NUGS President, Ishmael Tweneboa-Kodua, that there should be a law that ensure that governments do not tamper with the educational structure for a stipulated number of years as a way of ensuring consistency in the system, the President disagreed.

Although he shared the view that there was a need for a sustained system, he said sometimes there was a need for reforms to ensure that the educational system responds to the exigencies pf the times.

“Our objective is that young people are given quality education,” he said.

He gave assurance that the government would put in place the right structures to enhance the education system, adding that “as leaders, the least we can do is to nurture the human resources of the nation.”

He lauded the visit of the executive to the Presidency, and assured them that the government would continue to interact with the youth as partners in development.

“I know your worth and what you can contribute to national development,” he told the executives.
President Mills urged the youth in general to only learn from the good sides of the older generation, and not imitate the bad sides.

That, he said was because the bad deeds of the older generation were inimical to national growth.

He also asked the older generation to desist from misleading the young people since that could adversely affect the nation’s future.

Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communications who led a number of young Ministers in President Mills’ administration to the meeting, said that as much as government was determined to develop the talent of the youth, it was also committed to check crimes by the youth.

He announced that a Cyber Security Bill was being prepared for passage by Parliament which would result in the establishment of a Centre to police cyber activities as a way of effectively checking internet fraud which has become a menace in the country.

“The youth is not just the future leaders but the nation’s wealth and health which should be protected and nurtured,” he said.

Touching on tertiary education and the challenges in national development, he reminded the universities of the need to revise their curricula especially in information technology, to effectively address the need of industry.

The NUGS President, in his address earlier, thanked the President for granting them audience, and commended the government for initiatives towards the full implementation of the National Youth Policy.

“This policy, we are convinced would give the youth of this nation a sense of direction, purpose and hope,” Mr. Tweneboa-Kodua said.

The Union, he said was happy that many of its concerns were addressed in the manifesto of the ruling National Democratic Congress, adding that it was inspiring to know that the importance of the Union had been recognised.

He said it was retrogressive for a nation to fail to harness the abilities of the youth, but noted that NUGS was convinced that there was a brighter future for the youth in Ghana judging from the fact that more young people have been given positions in the president administration.

He assured the government of the support of the leadership of NUGS in developing the country, adding that “NUGS should not be seen as a pressure group but a major partner in development.”

Nkrumah's centenary celebration planning committee inaugurated

By Edmund Mingle

Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday inaugurated the planning committee for the Centenary birthday celebration of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, with a charge to plan a befitting but less expensive celebration.

“This is a paradox you have to deal with, because we want a celebration befitting the stature Dr. Nkrumah, and yet it should we should be modest in view of the national economic challenges,” he told the members of the Committee at the Castle, Osu in Accra.

“The intention of government is to have befitting celebration for our first President who championed both African independence and unity,” he said.

He also asked the 18-member Committee chaired by Professor Akilakpa Sawyerr, Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, to ensure high level of transparency and accountability in its operations since they would be required to render proper accounts to Ghanaians at the end of their work.

The Committee which is a mix of politicians from various parties, academicians, historians among others, is expected plan the nature of the celebration including the duration, events, the drawing up of a budget and the implementation of activities marking the celebration which would be climaxed on September 21 this year, Dr. Nkrumah’s birthday.

They would also arrange the invitations of foreign dignitaries, especially Nkrumh’s comrades from across Africa, for the celebration.

It addition, the committee is expected to undertake the collection historical items such as artifacts, art works and monuments depicting the life of Dr. Nkrumah for proper storage.

Vice President Mahama commended the members fro accepting to serve on the Committee and said a Secretariat would be set up for them to operate.

He said the government would also provided the needed budget and also undertake a fundraising campaign to mobilize fund from the private sector in support of the celebration.

He, however, cautioned the committee to avoid the mistakes in the past that characterised the organisation of such activities such as the Ghana@50 celebration where proper accounting was not done, adding the committee would be asked to account for every penny.


The members are Prof. Badu Akosa, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Prof. Nii Noi Dowuona, Bernard Mornah, Dr Esi Sutherland Addy, Dr. Sekou Nkrumah , Dr. Don Arthur , Dr. Yao Graham, Rev. Chris Hesse, Mohammed Ben Abdallah , Mr. J. H. Cobbinah , Mr. Ladi Nylander, Mr. Nat Mainoo, Madam. Araba Bentsi Enchill, Mrs. Bernice Deh-Kumah, Hon. A. Asuom Ahensan, and Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu.

Ghana@50 to be probed

By Edmund Mingle
The President, John Evans Atta Mills, yesterday instituted a three-member presidential Commission of Inquiry to probe alleged financial malfeasance relating to transactions of the Ghana@50 Secretariat which organised the country’s golden jubilee independence anniversary in 2007.

The President believes that the probe is critical since it would provide answers to questions of how the millions of Ghana cedis entrusted with the Secretariat were managed, an issue assumed public interest since 2007.

Wielding the powers of a High Court to probe the activities of the Secretariat which have raised eyebrows, Commission has Justice Isaac Duose, a Court of Appeal Judge as Chairman, and Mr. O. T. Prempeh, a former Auditor-General and Ms. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, a legal practitioner, as members.

The terms of reference of the Commission are to inquire into and report on allegations of improper use of public and any other funds; inquire into the use by the Secretariat of any movable and immovable property; inquire into any other matter which appears to be Commission to be incidental to or reasonable related to the Ghana@50 celebrations which in the opinion of the Commission ought to be enquired into; and to make recommendations in respect of the findings of fact of the Commission.

It will undertake public hearing where persons deemed relevant to the work of the Commission shall be invited for questioning. All witnesses called to give evidence are entitled to a legal counsel.

Mahama Ayariga, Presidential Spokesperson told a news conference at the Castle in Accra yesterday that the setting up of the Commission was in exercise of the powers conferred on the President under clause (1 a) of Article 278 of the Constitution.

He denied that it was a direct fall out of the marathon interrogation of Kwadwo Mpiani, former Chief of Staff in the past administration by the Bureau of National Investigations on a “wide range of issues” including the Ghana@50 Secretariat of which he was the supervising Minister, saying that “the Commission’s work is to address the sustained public quest for answers to the management of funds by the Secretariat.”

“This will offer all persons accused of dealing in financial malpractices relating to the work of the Secretariat to clear themselves,” he stated, He could not say exactly when the Commission was to finish its work and present a report, but noted that “the President expects them to work expeditiously.”

The Presidential Spokesperson hoped that all witnesses that were invited would cooperate with the Commission, so that the Commission could work within a reasonable time.

“The President will take the next step after receiving the Commission report,” he said, stressing that that next step would depend on the findings and recommendations of the Commission.

Revelations of alleged financial malfeasance at the Secretariat, which had Dr. Wereko Brobby as Chief Executive Officer, sparked public outcry last January when the government transition team took stock of the transactions and accounts of the Secretariat.

An interim Auditor-General’s Report on the transactions of the Secretariat presented to the transition team cited huge financial irregularities and poor accounting systems undertaking by the Secretariat, which among other things oversaw the purchase of luxury vehicles and building of plush houses for use by dignitaries that attendance the country’s independence anniversary.

On receiving the transition team’s report in March, President Mills promised to scrutinize it and cause investigations into matters that required clarifications.

During the transition team’s work, both embattled Mr. Mpiani and Dr. Wereko-Brobby denied any wrongdoing and indicated their readiness to appear before any investigative body.

Coca-Cola launches fruit Juice

By Edmund Mingle

The Coca Cola Company, at the weekend unveiled an addition to its brand with the introduction of “Minute Maid” fruit juice onto the Ghanaian beverage market.

The launch of the product marks the Coca-Cola’s branch into the production of fruit juice in Ghana.

Minute Maid, which is the company’s flagship juice brand, comes in cans and paper boxes in a range of flavours.

According to the company, the product is rich in calcium and vitamins that enhances the immune system.

Launching the product, Ms. Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, commended the Coca-Cola for the investment, and especially for choosing to produce fruit juice in Ghana.

That, he said was laudable because the company would make good use of local raw materials that would go along way provide ready market for fruit farmers.

“This is a good addition to the food and beverage market,” she said, noting that the presence of the product in Ghana, would enhance the competition on the beverage industry.

She urged the company to ensure high safety standards in the production of the drink, and continue to be responsive to customer demands.

In addition, the Minister assured the company of the government’s cooperation to ensure the success of its investment which the economy stands to benefit from.

Phillipe Ayivor, Franchise Manager of Coca-Cola Equatorial Africa, explained that the drink comes in three kinds-Apple, Orange and Breakfast blend (a combination of juices).

The brand, he said was introduced in 1946 in the United States, making it one of the oldest commercially produced fruit juice in the world.

30% cut in Govt. Fuel

By Edmund Mingle
The government has directed a 30 per cent cut in the fuel consumption by Ministries, Departments and Agencies as part of measures to reduce its fuel cost.

In addition, all government vehicles are to properly labeled “GV,” for easy identification, a move which the government believes would prevent the misuse of state vehicles.

Mrs. Zita Okaikoi, Minister of Information, explaining the rationale behind the cut to the Times on telephone yesterday, said that with the measure, government hoped to spend much less revenue on fuel consumption.

The move comes after the announcement of a 30 per cent increase in prices of petroleum products at the weekend.

According to her, it was advisable for the government institutions to have reduced fuel that could be effectively managed than abundant fuel that is abused by the government She explained that cut in the fuel consumption which will affect public officials, would ensure judicious use of the commodity.

She said government functionaries have a duty to manage and save fuel as the increases in fuel prices has pushed people into adopting effective fuel management practices.

With regard to the labeling of the government vehicles, she it was part of efforts to ensure that government vehicles were used for official duties and not private purposes by government officials.

She was optimistic that the measures would inure to the benefit of Ghanaians in that the revenue that would be saved from the fuel consumption cut could be used to invest in the provision of social amenities.

"There have been instances in the past when government vehicles have been used for private and unofficial functions like funerals, parties and church services among others,” she said.

President commends Newmont, but.

By Edmund Mingle

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday lauded the increasing investment by Newmont Mining Corporation in Ghana, but cautioned the company to ensure that the outcome of the investments become meaningful and beneficial to Ghanaians.

He also encouraged the company, which is one of the largest mining firms in Ghana, to be highly responsible to its social responsibility as to address the challenges mining communities face as a result of mining operations.

President Mill, who said these when Richard O’Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Newmont Mining Corporation, led the executives of the company to call on him at the Castle in Accra, assured the company of government’s collaboration for their success of their operations in Ghana.

He said in view of the global financial crisis which is affecting developing economies, he said he said the government would not hesitate to dialogue with Newmont and other companies in the business sector to ensure smooth operations, while protecting the interests of Ghanaians.

“The situation requires continuous dialogue and interactions to see how we can move the economy ahead,” he said.

President Mills welcome the Newmont boss to Ghana and was optimistic that his visist would be beneficial in enhancing their relationship with communities they operate in locally.

Mr. O’Brien, for his part, gave assurance that the firm was committed to its social responsibilities, and cited a number of community projects the company was engaged in to improve the livelihood of the community members.

He commended the government for providing a congenial business atmosphere, and promised that that Newmont would continue to cooperate with the government as well as work within the framework of the law.

Mr. O’Brien told newsmen after a closed door meeting with the President, that the company has invested some 207million dollars over the years in its operations in Ghana, adding that about 90 per cent of their revenue was re-invested in Ghana.

Also at the Castle to see President Mills were the executives of Sunshine Technology Group, a commercial forestry and bio-fuel development firm based in South Africa.

Kevin Cazelet, Chief Executive of the Company, told newsmen after a closed door meeting with the President that, they had fruitful discussions on the forestry management and bio-fuel production prospects in the country.
END

President warns MMDCEs

By Edmund Mingle

The President, John Evans Atta Mills yesterday cautioned Chief Executives of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies against misuse of resources, warning that he will not hesitate dismissing those found mismanaging state resources to the detriment of the people.

“No one has monopoly over the position, and if anybody is found wanting in the judicious use of resources, I will not hesitate to remove that person,” he told an assembly of all the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Accra.

Opening a five day orientation to equip the chief executives for the job, President Mills asked also asked the MMDCEs, who are his representatives at the district level, to be responsive to need and aspirations of the people at the grassroots.

Speaking frankly, President Mills pointed out that the MMDCEs should not think that their appointment was to compensate or reward them for been members of the National Democratic Congress, saying they were appointed on merit and based on their ability to manage their respective areas.

“You have to approach your assignment with urgency,” he said, reminding them that Ghanaians were waiting to see the change for a better Ghana the government promised.

He urged them to be innovative in address the development challenges facing their respective areas, observing the need for them also accommodate all views and work with the established structures.

As an advocate of accountability and transparency, President Mills asked his men to uphold those principles in their management activities, as well as operate an open administration.

“Remember that you are the interface between central government and the people,” he said, and therefore asked them to ensure that the community people have unrestricted access to their office through which the MMDCEs could become more conversant with the needs of the communities they oversee.

Recognising that the districts needed resources to operate, President Mills assured the MMDCEs of the provision of adequate resources from central to enable them to work effectively.

He congratulated them on their nomination and confirmation for the positions, and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Joseph Yieleh-Chireh, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in his welcome address, also encouraged the chief executives to exhibit good leadership qualities and eschew arrogance in their dealings with the people they have been appointed to serve.

“Your actions and inactions will have either a positive or negative effect on the image of the government,” he told them, and urged them to make a positive difference in their respective areas.

The orientation programme, which had the theme, “Chief Executives as agents of change in participatory local development,” would educate the 170 MMDCEs on the rudiments of local government administration, operations of the district assembly common fund, resource mobilsation and revenue generation, as well as how MMDCEs relate with their Members of Parliament.

Prosecution of past officials in the offing

The prosecution of former government officials found to have allegedly engaged in corrupt acts is likely to start in a couple of weeks.
Towards this end, the government is finalising investigations on a number of transactions by the past administration.

Brigadier-General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, the National Security Advisor, who dropped the hint, said there was enough evidence to enable government to initiate prosecutions. He was speaking in an interview with the Times in Accra yesterday.

According to him, dossiers on a number of cases were ready to be forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice and initiation of prosecution.

Although he was not specific on which cases were likely to top the list, he said, investigations were conclusive on transactions of the Ghana@50 Secretariat, acquisition of state property by former officials and deals by former Ministers which amounted to abuse of office, as well as the purchase and sale of government vehicles.

Brig-Gen Nunoo-Mensah said other cases, which he described as "looting of state property" where out gone - officials took away state property from their official residence, were being thoroughly investigated for the necessary action.

"Whoever is found culpable will be dealt with," the Security Advisor said.

"There is a lot of evidence of wrong doing,'' he stressed, noting that "anywhere you look in the former government's activities, there is a case to be investigated."

He, however, asked Ghanaians not to panic because there would be thorough investigations before accusations are levelled against former officials and others found to have engaged in corrupt practices.

"Nobody will be hauled before court without tangible evidence," he said.
That was to ensure that innocent people were not accused wrongly.

Among such cases is that of the former Speaker, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi-Hughes, who took away state items worth about GH¢4 million from his residence.

According to Brigadier-Gen Nunoo-Mensah, the furnishing of the former Speaker's official residence at that cost smacks of corruption since the cost of some of the items such as bowls were evidently inflated.

"The government will not allow such looting to go unpunished," he stated, adding that "those who think the government is inept should rethink." He said the government was determined to recover all looted state property and monies since those resources could be channelled into proper use.

Brig-Gen Nunoo-Mensah disagreed with the Parliamentary Committee's report which, among other things, recommended that the former Speaker should pay for some of the items and return others he took away.

He said the fact that there was no policy on the disposal of furnishing items for the leadership and senior officials of the Parliamentary Service did not mean the former Speaker could take state property to be his own.

"This is theft, and it would be dealt with as such," he said. The quantum of money used to refurbish the former Speaker's house, he said was “abominable" since it cannot be justified in the country's present economic circumstances.

He asked the rationale behind allowing leaders to purchase or take away state property they met in office, pointing out that it puts a further strain on the economy since monies which could have been used to address social needs have to be used to replace those items for incoming officials.

He said the general rule, which does ensures that officials leaving public office leave behind state property, should apply to Parliament since "Parliament is not a State within a State."

"There is so much waste in the bureaucratic system, and it is about time we put an end to it," he stated.

New Code Of Ethics For Public Officials Soon

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 25 March 2009

The government is developing a new code of ethics for public officials as part of measures to check corruption and improve productivity, Vice President John Dramani Mahama, has announced.

He said the government was refining existing codes of ethics in the public sector to ensure that public officials work within a specified framework that would plug loopholes for corruption.

Speaking at a meeting with a South African business delegation that is promoting ethics in the business sector, at the Castle, Osu in Accra on Monday, Mr Mahama said the new code would ensure that offending officials answer for breaching the provisions of the code.

“There is no doubt about the political will to fight corruption,” he told the delegation led by the Right Rev. Dr. Yaw Frimpong Manso, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and Graham Power, Chairman of Power Group of Companies, a South Africa based leading civil engineering firm that is also championing transparency and integrity in the African business community.

The Vice President also spoke of the government’s new assets declaration regime, in which the government was encouraging all public office holders to declare their assets and have it gazetted for public scrutiny, saying the new regime was a departure from the situation where “records of declared assets were locked under key.”
That, he said, was an indication that the government was fighting corruption by “will and deed.”

He lauded the work of the Power group of companies and said their objectives were in line with government’s desire to promote transparency in all spheres of the Ghanaian society.

Touching on business, Vice President Mahama, asked the company to consider investing in the agricultural industry since the sector had the potential to significantly cut poverty, especially in the rural areas.
He also urged the Presbyterian Church to increase its investments in the agricultural sector in support of government agenda to modernise agriculture industry, and assured of government support.

Mr. Power, who stopped over in Ghana on his way to Cote d’Ivoire for a “Global Day of Prayer,” a programme that brings together millions of people, especially from the business community across Africa and beyond to pray together, said the company had through its advocacy work, been encouraging its partners and other firms to do business with companies that uphold ethical principles and transparency.

“We have been challenging leaders in governance and business to be ethical, faithful, transparent, and to report fraud,” he said.

Manhyia Coming With A 40-Man Team

By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 26 March 2009

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will, on Monday, lead a 40-man delegation of chiefs from Asanteman to the Castle, in Accra, to formally congratulate President J.E.A. Mills on his assumption of office.
This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by Presidential Spokesman Mahama Ayariga, detailing some activities the President is to undertake.

According to the statement, the President will tomorrow, visit the Jubilee Oilfield in the Western Region, as part of a familiarisation tour of on-going economic development projects in the country.

The President will arrive at the Takoradi Airforce base in the morning and proceed to the oil rig where he would be shown around and briefed extensively, on operations of the rig by Tullow Oil executives including the CEO, who is flying in specifically for the visit by the President.

On his return from the oil rig, President Mills will be in Cape Coast where a durbar of chiefs and people of the Central Region is expected to be held at the Victoria Park on Saturday, March 28, in his honour.

On Sunday, March 29, the Oguaaman Union will host the President to a special luncheon after a church service at the Pentecost Church, near Adisadel College, Cape Coast, to round off his activities in the region.

President Invited To Buruli Ulcer Summit

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 25 March 2009

President John Evans Atta Mills has expressed the government’s commitment to significantly contribute to the fight against deadly diseases such as Buruli Ulcer on the African continent, and to improve the health conditions of the citizenry.

“Everything that will improve the health of our people is worth supporting,” he told a delegation from Benin that called on him at the Castle, Osu, yesterday.

The team was here to deliver an invitation from Benin’s President, Dr Thomas Yayi Boni, for President Mills to attend to the Second International Conference and Research on ulcers in Cotonou, Benin.

The President noted the debilitating effect of buruli ulcers, especially among the poor in Africa, said Ghana attached importance to the upcoming conference and other initiatives towards eradicating the disease.
He thanked President Yayi Boni for the invitation, and commended Benin , the World Health Organisation and other partners, for the organisation of the conference, and promised that Ghana would be “strongly represented”.

Professor Issifou Takpara, Benin’s Minister of Health who led the delegation, told newsmen after the meeting that the five-day conference, scheduled to start on March 30, was part of an international initiative to focus more attention on controlling the disease.

The Benin conference a follow up to the first conference held in July, 1998 in Côte d'Ivoire, is expected to be attended by hundreds of delegations from endemic countries, development partners, policy makers, scientists and representatives of civil society groups.

Stanbic Votes $100m To Support Agric

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 18 March 2009

Ghana is to benefit from a 100 million dollar agricultural financing scheme being supported by the Standard Bank Group and other partners as part of efforts to modernise the agricultural sector in the country.
Jacko Maree, Chief Executive of the group, the largest bank in Africa, who informed President John Evans Atta Mills during a courtesy call at the Castle, Osu, yesterday, said the facility was part of the bank’s programme to support the revamping of the agricultural industries in Africa.
A Memorandum of Understanding for Ghanaian farmers and agro-processing enterprises to benefit from the financing scheme would be signed today.
The facility, which is a collaborative programme among the bank, the Kofi Annan Alliance for Green Evolution in Africa, the Millennium Challenge Account and the Rocky Fella Foundation, is a four-nation facility including Tanzania , Uganda and Mozambique
. Mr. Maree did not indicate the criteria for the selection of the four beneficiary countries but said “we want to help the government to support the growth of the agricultural sector.”
In addition, he explained that the bank would be investing in the petro-chemical industry and the agro-processing industry.
“We are proud to be associated with Ghana ,” he said, and commended the country for peaceful election and political transition which has increased the confidence in the country’s economy.
President Mills, in his remarks, lauded the financial intervention of the bank and its partners, describing it as timely for Ghana .
He reiterated government’s determination to modernise the agriculture sector to increase food production, saying that although the economy was largely dependent on the sector, it has been under-developed.
The President was optimistic that the support would significantly complement government’s efforts at achieving food sufficiency and exports, as well as decreasing the level of food imports.
He commended the bank for the initiative and urged other financial institutions to emulate the intervention to provide viable solutions to financial challenges confronting farmers.
Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, who accompanied the delegation, said the assistance of the banks fall in line with the government’s agenda of modernising agriculture which was critical for economic growth.
Also at the Castle to see the President was a delegation from Tianshi Health and Business Consultancy, producers of herbal supplements, who briefed the President about the operations of the company.
John Gasper Annan, Country Director of the Company, with its headquarters in China , called for government’s assistance to enable the company establish a local production factory and a supermarket in Ghana.

GE here to explore investment opportunities

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 17 March 2009

A delegation from General Electric (GE), a multinational business entity investing in various fields, yesterday called on President John Evans Atta Mills, at the Castle, Osu in Accra, with the aim of finding which areas the company could invest to support the government’s economic drive.

According to the company, the recent peaceful political transition, coupled with country’s economic prospects, have given them an incredible confidence and faith in the Ghanaian economy.

Lazarus Angbazo, President and Chief Executive Officer (Sub-Sahara Africa) of GE, who led a delegation to the Castle, told the President that “we are happy about the prospects and how we can work together.”

He did not say which areas of the economy the company would be immediately investing in but said informed the President that GE has appreciable investments in the energy, health infrastructure, oil and gas, aviation and railway sectors among others.

He explained that the meeting was to afford the company the opportunity to know where the government would want to have the company’s investment in line with the government’s goals.

GE’s desire to invest in Ghana, he said was part of the company’s programme to focus more on investing in emerging markets, especially in Africa.

President Mills, in his remarks, described the visit as timely since it came at a time the government was getting started with programmes and investment initiatives towards creating jobs and building the necessary infrastructure for socio-economic development.

He welcomed the investment by GE and assured them of government’s support by creating a friendly business environment through removing all bottlenecks.

As government provides a good environment for them to invest, he reminded them as well as all investors of the need for them work within the legal framework in the country.

President Mills reiterated the government’s determination to be transparent in its dealings, adding that his administration wanted to ensure that the masses benefited from the resources of the country.

General Electric develops, manufactures, and markets a wide variety of products for the generation, transmission, distribution, control and utilization of electricity and provides a wide array of products such as aircraft engines, electronic appliances (kitchen and laundry appliances), industrial products and systems (lighting, electrical distribution, and control equipment), and materials (plastics, silicones, laminates, and abrasives).

In addition, GE, which is currently operating in 160 countries across the globe, offers a broad array of financial services including consumer, commercial, and industrial financing.

First batch deputy Ministers sworn in

By Edmund Mingle
Tuesday, 17 March 2009

The President, John Evans Atta Mills yesterday swore into office the first batch of five deputy Ministers with a charge to them to work for the good of the country.

Also sworn in were three Ministers of State at the Presidency

The deputy Ministers are Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh and Dr. Joseph Annan, both for Education, Dr Kwabena Donkor and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, both for Energy, and Seth Emmanuel Terkper for Finance.

Those sworn in as Ministers of State at the Presidency are Alhaji Seidu Amadu, Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo and Kwajo Tawiah Likpalimor.

President Mills, after swearing them in at the Castle, Osu in Accra, admonished the deputy ministers against undermining their Ministers, and rather assist them to undertake the mandates of the respective Ministries.

He said the credit would go to the deputy ministers as well if their Ministers were able to achieve their goals, saying “we are here to work as a team.”

President Mills also cautioned the Ministers of State against abuse of office.

He said the fact that they would be operating from the Castle, does not make them superior over other Ministers working outside the Castle, and therefore urged them to collaborate and work together towards advancing the welfare of Ghanaians.

The President reiterated the need for them to be humble and honest, reminding them that being a Minister was not a right but a privilege which they should take advantage of to promote the welfare of the people in accordance with the mission and vision of the government.

Brigadier-General (Rtd) Nunoo Mensah, National Security Advisor, sharing his experience with the ministers, asked them to be focused on addressing the problems of poverty confronting the lot of Ghanaians, and to avoid the temptation of amassing wealth.

Alhaji Seidu Amadu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President for the opportunity offered them to serve in his administration.

“We shall do all that is possible to in our individual capabilities and collective responsibility to assist you to achieve your goal of building a better Ghana,” he said.

Mumuni accuses NDC of leaving him in the lurch

By Edmund Mingle

Monday,16 March 2009

Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has criticized the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for not going to his aid when he encountered accusations of corruption from the opposition New Patriotic Party during his recent Parliamentary vetting before becoming minister.The Minister, who sounded very bitter as he made his grievance known during a retreat of Ministers and Deputy Ministers at GIMPA in Accra on Saturday, said he expected his party to have intervened in the matter.He said he considered himself a captive in the diabolic scheme of the NPP. "I was all alone and had to fight them all by myself," he said at the retreat, which some believe was not the right platform to address party issues.The Minority side of the Vetting Committee in Parliament maintained during his vetting that Alhaji Mumuni had corruption charges to answer, citing alleged misapplication of funds in an audit report relating to the operations of the NVTI when he was Minister of Employment and Social Welfare in the previous NDC administration.Alhaji Mumuni maintained his innocence and indicated that there was no such audit report in existence. He also explained that no such report had ever been sent to Parliament.Consequently, the Minority side boycotted his vetting and objected to him becoming a Minister, but Alhaji Mumuni sailed through with a majority vote.What may have broken Alhaji Mumuni’s heart, according to him was the fact that some of the leading members of the NDC secretly supported the action by the NPP.The Minister poured out his feelings, saying that although he was not indicting his party, he expected the NDC to have come to his rescue during the tough times.President Mills, responding, told the retreat that he, together with other leading members, met Alhaji Mumuni to discuss the issue for solutions.Although he did not hold brief for the party, he said he felt that he and the other members of government who met the Minister were also members of the party who have found themselves in government, and therefore Alhaji Mumuni could have considered it as an intervention by the party.Responding also to a call by Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication on the need for the government to carry out its promises especially those which they said would be done in the first l00 days, such as the Freedom of Information Bill, President Mills gave the assurance that “we will do all things possible to fulfill the promises."
Source:Ghanaian Times

4,737 Graduate At Legon 2009 Congregation

By Edmund Mingle & Kingsley Asare
Monday, 16 March 2009

A total of 4,737 students graduated in various fields of study from the University of Ghana, Legon at the 2009 Congregation on Saturday.
The number consisted of 351 diplomates, 4,135 undergraduates and 251 post graduates which included four doctoral graduates.
Mrs. Elizabeth Mills-Robertson, the acting Inspector General of Police, was among the graduates, graduating in Executive Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management).
Speaking at the ceremony, President John Evans Atta Mills gave the assurance that the government would commit more resources towards providing quality tertiary education in the country.
He reiterated that there was no better way of investing in people than to give them quality education, and in providing quality education, "the cycle will never be complete minus quality tertiary education.
He maintained that the government, with its social democratic background, did not believe in full cost recovery at the tertiary level pointing out that tertiary education was critical in developing skilled human resource, as well as building research centres to advance the growth of all sectors of the economy.
"Indeed, the training, research, extension, and service functions of the university are intertwined and collectively significant for our national development and my administration will ensure that, to the extent possible, adequate financial and material resources are provided to optimally support tertiary education and research," he said.
President Mills gave the assurance that the government would improve the education sector by addressing the management inefficiencies and bottlenecks that affect equity and quality in the educational system.
"We will also critically examine the utilisation practices and processes of the GETFund, to improve efficiency and ensure that the fund is used for its stipulated objectives," he said.
He commended the university, where he had taught for over two decades, for the leadership role it continued to play in the provision of tertiary education in Ghana and beyond, and pledged the government’s support to undertake infrastructural projects in the university in a timely manner.
Education, he said, was on top of government’s priority list as it forges ahead in building a better Ghana, adding that the working conditions for teachers would be significantly improved.
"Government believes teachers deserve better than we have given them as a nation, and my administration is working hard to ensure that educators from primary school to university are given their due," he said.
He congratulated the graduating students on their achievements, and urged them to "position themselves properly and positively so that their full potentials could be tapped," and promised to do his best to give more opportunities to the youth.
Dr. Kofi Annan ,Chancellor of the University of Ghana, in his remarks, called for increased investment in education so as to provide quality education to the citizens.
Dr. Annan, who was the immediate Secretary-General of the United Nations, said it was pleasing that the President in his state of the nation address singled out the education sector for special attention and as well pleasing that most Ghanaians, irrespective of their political persuasion, had agreed that the surest path to development for the nation was through education.
He commended the university for the role it was playing to give quality tertiary education to majority of people and supplying the highest level of manpower of the country.
"By this record, University of Ghana has earned an enviable place in the league of universities in Africa and is recognised worldwide," he said, and added that he was proud to be its Chancellor.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clifford Nii Boi Tagoe, in his report, called on the government to expedite action on the passage of the University of Ghana Act, to enable "us see the full impact of the Visitation Panel Report," which he said, could not be implemented due to the non-passage of the University of Ghana Act.
The Visitation Report outlines the revised composition of the University Council, student representation on key statutory boards and committees, as well as restructuring of the university’s financial administration.
Professor Tagoe said to bring university education to the doorsteps of the citizens, the university had introduced Distance Education Programme and said the response had been positive.
The Distance Education Programme was a viable alternative means to people desirous of pursuing university education, he said, adding its introduction meant that "we are now able to offer a much larger number of young people the opportunity to access university education."
Professor Tagoe announced that approval had been given for the establishment of a Ghana Cocoa Board Chair, a programme to promote education in agriculture.
He said the Board has provided 500,000 dollars for the start of an endowment fund for the programme which is expected to begin in August, this year.
On infrastructure, the Vice-Chancellor appealed to the government and corporate bodies to help the univserty to complete on-going projects and initiate new ones.
Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quarshie, representative of the graduating students, entreated his colleagues to work with truth and integrity wherever they found themselves.
He also advised them to volunteer their skills, knowledge and strength to help transform the society.

President Joins Muslims To Celebrate "Muahiale"

By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 16 March 2009

President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday joined Muslims at the National Chief Imam’s residence in Accra, to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed, which is being observed throughout this month by the Islamic community across the world.
The event, known as "Muahiale," is used to thank God for creating Prophet Mohammed and inspiring him to produce the Quran some 1,400 years ago, which has become the guide to Muslims.
Addressing the gathering President Mills acknowledged the significance of the event and said he chose to join them for the celebration because "we are all children of Allah."
He wished the Muslim community in Ghana well as they mark the birthday of the Holy Prophet, and urged them to let the day remind them of the need to seek the intervention of Allah at all times.
He also encouraged Muslims to continue to pray for God’s abundant blessing for the country, and the wisdom to do what was right.
President Mills presented 30 cartons of soft drinks and GHc2,000 to the Chief Imam as the governemnt’s support for the feast.
Sheikh Sharabutu, speaking through his spokesman, thanked the President for the honour and assured him of their support.
He was confident that with prayers and the blessings of Allah, the country would progress.

Solution To Plastic Waste Menace In Sight

By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 16 March 2009

Three days after the Vice President’s hint of a possible ban on plastic production if the plastic waste menace was not checked, the plastic producers in the country have responded with a solution.
They have brought into the country, scientific and plastic waste management experts from the United Kingdom with a plastic degradable technology that could help solve the county’s plastic waste management problems.
Last Friday, the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers Association led the plastic waste management experts from the United Kingdom to the Castle, Osu, to introduce the technology to the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama.
Ebo E. Botwe, president of the association, informed the Vice President that the producers had been equally worried about the menace and had been finding short and long term solutions to it.
The producers, he said, successfully found the technology in the UK talking to experts in South Africa and Israel , adding that the technology had been found to be working well in a number of countries.
John James, Export Manager from Wells Plastics Limited in the UK , explaining the technology, said it involved the use of chemicals that degrade plastic after its life cycle.
The chemical, he said, could be applied to plastic waste or added to it during production which could destroy it after its lifecycle.
The chemical, he said, degrades the waste plastic much faster in heat, adding that it was suitable for the climatic condition in the country.
"We think this technology can help a great deal," he said, indicating that the chemical which is environmentally friendly could degrade plastic fully between three to six months.
The Vice President commended the association for the effort in getting a solution to the plastic waste management problem and asked that the technology be started on a pilot basis for government to assess its efficacy.
"If it does work, government would not hesitate to pass legislation to its use in the production of plastics," he said.
The Vice President, speaking at national forum on sanitation in Accra last Tuesday, warned that government would consider banning the production and use of plastic bags if the producers did not find a viable solution to effectively manage plastic waste.

North America NDC confers with Veep

By Edmund Mingle

Friday, 13 March 2009

The North American Branch of the ruling National Democratic Congress has urged the government to do well to create a more congenial business environment to attract more investments into the country, especially from North America.

The branch also wants security to be improved to give an assurance to investors who intend to direct their resources to Ghana of their security against criminals.

Cobby Boahene, Chairman of the North American Coordinating Council of the NDC, said these when he led a delegation of executives of the branch which also cover Canada, to call on the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama at the Castle Osu in Accra.

Mr. Boahene, said many Ghanaians in North America were happy about the economic and political progress of the country, and were desirous of bringing investments to Ghana but were worried about the bottlenecks in the business sector, and also not sure of their security.

In addition, he said Ghanaians in North America wish that Ghana could establish a Consulate in Chicago to easily cater for their welfare as well as facilitate their investments into Ghana.

He congratulated the Vice President on his assumption of office, and promised the branch would be supportive of the government to address the socio-economic challenges confronting the citizenry.

Vice President Mahama, responding to the concerns of the branch, commended gave the assurance that many initiative were being undertaken to enhance security, adding that the police would be equipped to prevent and fight crime more effectively.

With regard to the business sector, he said the government was aware of the bureaucratic system which has been unhelpful, and therefore gave the assurance that such hindrances would be removed to ensure smooth investment processes.

He commended the group for their support to attract investments for Ghana, and urged them to focus more on joint ventures with local enterprises.

He also advised them to consider directing their investments into the agriculture sector as a way of supporting the development of that sector where over 60 per cent on Ghanaian population is engaged in.

“What better way to reduce poverty than to invest in agriculture,” he said.

I wish Ghana were a prayer camp

By Edmund Mingle

Friday, 13 March 2009

The President, John Evan Atta Mills yesterday reacted to criticisms that he has turned the Castle, the seat of government into a “prayer camp,” saying “I have no apologies and regrets to offer.”

Determined to place God first in the affairs of his administration, he said he wished that the whole Ghana turned into a prayer camp.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the leadership of the Ghana Pentecostal Council, a grouping of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in Ghana, at the Castle, Osu in Accra, President Mills stressed the need for Ghanaians to continue to seek the face of God at all times.

He said the country was being sustained by divine providence through prayers, stressing that he did not see why he should not associate himself with religious people who preach peace, honesty, fear of God and love for one another, which are required for a peaceful and successful society.

“Such men of God are allies who could support the success of his administration and the progress of the nation through their intercession,” he stated.

President Mills urged the delegation led by the Council’s President, Apostle John Annan Allotey, that to continue to pray for the government for divine direction and guidance to effectively lead the nation, saying that “where a building is not on solid foundation, it crumbles.”

He commended the Council and the religious community in genera for the intercessions which took the country through the December elections successfully, saying their contribution to the elections yielded results.

President Mills, who has had visits from the leadership of various Christian and Islamic groups since assuming office, recently proposed an annual national prayer and thanks giving day to be observed on the every last Friday in January for Muslims and first Sunday in February for Christians.

Apostle Adotey, in his remarks, lauded the President faith in God and promised that he could count on the full support of the Council.

He said apart from the prayers that would be continuously offered for the government, “we will educate our constituents to understand government policies to ensure their success.”

The Council, he assured, would use the same vim with which they prayer for the nation before the election, to pray for the government “so that you will have a peaceful and successful tenure.”

Apostle Adotey presented a large Bible he described a full of wisdom and blessings to the President, and asked him to consult it anytime he was faced with challenges, irrespective of the fact that the President had a number of Bibles already.

As part of the visit a special prayer was offered for God’s guidance and favour for the Presidency and the nation.

World Bank cautions on use of oil money

By Edmund Mingle

Thursday, 12 March 2009

The World Bank has cautioned Ghana against mismanagement of its oil revenue which could adversely affect the country’s economy.

Ms. Obiageh Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President for Africa, in a meeting with President Mills at the Castle, Osu in Accra on Wednesday, said that in view of the global financial crisis, which was affecting economies, developing economies needed to manage their resources in a manner that could reduce the impact of the crisis.

Discussions of an oil rich Ghana, she said, had become relevant because of the need to ensure that it impacted positively on the citizenry.

Ms. Ezekwesili, who is visiting Ghana as a way of striking a relationship between the Bank and the new administration, stressed that dealing with the effects of the financial crisis "is going to be really critical" for developing countries like Ghana which is already contending with a fiscal imbalance.

She was, however, glad that the national budget had been developed in a way to deal with the country's economic challenges.

She urged the government to focus more on investing in agriculture which, according to her, has three times the potential to tackle poverty.

Ms. Ezekwesili, who has been meeting the Finance and Agriculture Ministers, heads of financial institutions and other groups as part of her visit, pledged the bank’s continued assistance to enable the country to close its financial gaps.

President Mills, in his remarks, said the government was fully aware of the economic challenges and was instituting adequate measures to address them.

He said the government had a holistic view of the economy, adding that "although the picture is not as rosy as we were made to believe, we have to do everything possible to get things right.In addition he said his administration had taken cognisance of the effects of the global financial crisis and was accordingly factoring the challenges into the government's economic planning.

He gave the assurance that the government would avoid taking desperate measures, saying it would focus on taking the right measures to deal with the socio-economic challenges.

He thanked the World Bank for the support it has advanced to Ghana over the years "which has helped us to chart a course for ourselves," and assured the bank of openness.

President Mills was of the view that the country could only get the needed support from its development partners when it was truthful and transparent in its dealings with them .

“Given the co-operation from all our partners, we should be able to weather the storm,” he said.

Ghana To Develop Ties With Comoros

By Edmund Mingle
Thursday, 05 March 2009

The government is desirous to develop ties with the Comoros Islands to enable the two countries to explore opportunities in each other’s spatial economy.
Vice-President John Mahama, said this at a meeting with a delegation from the Comoros Island at the Castle, Osu yesterday.
He said the two countries could work effectively together on issues of infrastructural development, African unity and integration.
The delegation was led by a special envoy of the Comoros Island, Abdel Munim, who delivered a special message from the President of the Comoros Islands.
The Comoros Islands, known as the Union of the Comoros, is a group of three African islands located off the eastern coast of Africa near Madagascar and northeastern Mozambique
It is a highly patronised tourist destination, with a population of about 900,000 and a major exporter of copra, vanilla and perfume.
Vice President Mahama recalled interacting with the Vice President of the Union of the Comoros, Idi Nadhoim, at the last African Union summit in Addis Ababa, and lauded the interest of the Union for rapid African integration for enhanced economic benefits.
“We will do everything possible to strengthen the ties between us since both countries stand to gain,” he said.
Saied Fakhry, Honorary Consul to the Union of the Comoros in Ghana, said the island nation was committed to strengthening bilateral relationship with Ghana.
Through that, he said, business opportunities could be promoted.

Veep Bemoans Poor Reading By Youth

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday launched a book titled, “Letter to Jomo,” a compilation of humourous feature articles by George Sydney Abugri, a renowned columnist, and bemoaned the poor reading culture of Ghanaians.
He said reading culture especially among the youth continued to deteriorate, and attributed this to the crave among for foreign music and films introduced by the information and communication industry, instead of books from which much more knowledge could be obtained.
The situation, he said, had culminated in the poor performance of students, because “you cannot gain knowledge without reading.”
“Apart from the knowledge people can gain through reading, the economics of scale will work to the benefit of publishers if more people read,” he said.
Vice President Mahama described the author as “a much-loved writer whose writing skill, discipline and commitment to his work had contributed to the development of the literary industry.”
The 375-page book is a collection of 100 out of over 1,000 feature articles published by Mr Abugri in his Friday column in the Daily Graphic since 1993.
The Vice President commended Mr. Abugri for his style of examining serious national issues with humour, yet enabling readers to get the wisdom in his message, and noted that he had used his talent to the benefit of the nation.
He urged the author and editors to identify and nurture the talents of feature writing in young journalists in order to groom a generation of feature writers to inherit the likes of Mr. Abugri.
He assured the publishing industry and the media in general of government’s support, but reminded the media of the need to be circumspect and responsible so as not to abuse the freedom of the press.
The Vice President bought the first copy on auction for GH¢500.
Mr. Abugri, a journalist, said he found it necessary to compile the articles to serve as a source for research in journalism schools as well as for pleasure.
He said the publishing of the book took him through challenges, such as the high taxes, access to funding 25 per cent advance payment on the sale of books to bookshops, which publishers encounter and which hinder the development of the publishing industry.
Mr. Abugri, therefore called for the introduction of a National Book Development Policy to effectively address these challenges.

US Military Command Seeks Enhanced Ties With GAF

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate.”

Veep Gives Thanks

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

The Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, held a thanksgiving service for Vice- President John Dramani Mahama with a charge for him to diligently serve the nation.
The service, hosted by the Ringway branch of the church where he worships, was also to pray for divine guidance for a successful tenure in office.
Mr. Mahama was accompanied to the service by his wife, Lordina, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, his family members and friends.
The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, Reverend William W. Dontoh, in his sermon, urged the Vice President to be guided by ethical and professional standards and to shun coveteousness and corruption.
He also advised him to remain a true servant of God as well as a good leader who would not allow undue pressure from selfish individuals and political expediency to force him to compromise the truth.
Rev. Ernest K. Agyei, the host pastor, reminded Mr Mahama to consider his position in government as a calling by God to serve Ghanaians.
Mr Mahama, in his remarks, gave praise to God, saying the victory of the National Democractic Congress was the making of God’s to whom be the glory.
“We are there for a purpose, and that purpose is to serve,” he said, adding that he had confidence in the President, whom he described as “a man of faith”.
Mr. Mahama called on the church to support the government with prayers, and gave the assurance that he would serve the nation to the best of his ability.

Veep Bemoans Poor Reading By Youth

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday launched a book titled, “Letter to Jomo,” a compilation of humourous feature articles by George Sydney Abugri, a renowned columnist, and bemoaned the poor reading culture of Ghanaians.
He said reading culture especially among the youth continued to deteriorate, and attributed this to the crave among for foreign music and films introduced by the information and communication industry, instead of books from which much more knowledge could be obtained.
The situation, he said, had culminated in the poor performance of students, because “you cannot gain knowledge without reading.”
“Apart from the knowledge people can gain through reading, the economics of scale will work to the benefit of publishers if more people read,” he said.
Vice President Mahama described the author as “a much-loved writer whose writing skill, discipline and commitment to his work had contributed to the development of the literary industry.”
The 375-page book is a collection of 100 out of over 1,000 feature articles published by Mr Abugri in his Friday column in the Daily Graphic since 1993.
The Vice President commended Mr. Abugri for his style of examining serious national issues with humour, yet enabling readers to get the wisdom in his message, and noted that he had used his talent to the benefit of the nation.
He urged the author and editors to identify and nurture the talents of feature writing in young journalists in order to groom a generation of feature writers to inherit the likes of Mr. Abugri.
He assured the publishing industry and the media in general of government’s support, but reminded the media of the need to be circumspect and responsible so as not to abuse the freedom of the press.
The Vice President bought the first copy on auction for GH¢500.
Mr. Abugri, a journalist, said he found it necessary to compile the articles to serve as a source for research in journalism schools as well as for pleasure.
He said the publishing of the book took him through challenges, such as the high taxes, access to funding 25 per cent advance payment on the sale of books to bookshops, which publishers encounter and which hinder the development of the publishing industry.
Mr. Abugri, therefore called for the introduction of a National Book Development Policy to effectively address these challenges.

US Military Command Seeks Enhanced Ties With GAF

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate”.

Leasing Opportunities For Private Sector Funding

By Edmund Mingle
Friday, 27 February 2009

The Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, opened the maiden Ghana Leasing Forum in Accra yesterday and emphasised the need for Ghana to explore viable sources of funding for the private sector.
He said in view of the fact that the global financial crisis was already having an impact on access to credit in developed countries, “we too must respond by exploring viable alternatives that provide a lifeline of credit to our private sector”.
The forum, organised by the Ghana Association of Leasing Companies, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and the International Financing Corporation, aimed at discussing strategies for enhancing the leasing industry and mechanisms to support the private sector.
It had the theme, “Access to finance: leasing opportunities and private sector development,” and was attended by operators in the leasing industry, managers of private sector businesses and business support institutions.
Leasing, among other things, enables businesses to have access to equipment for their operations thereby lessening the burden of businesses to have to look for funds to purchase the equipment, some of which they would use for a short period.
Vice President Mahama observed the importance of the leasing industry, and stressed the need for the industry to be promoted to enable it to effectively support the financing of the private sector.
He said that leasing provide alternative and appropriate financing mechanisms for businesses in the country, adding that local entrepreneurs could explore it to boost their capital and efficiency to invest in key areas of the economy.
He lauded the theme for the two day forum, and said it was in tandem with the government’s objective of attracting and retaining investment in the country.
“This maiden leasing forum should encourage all of you to discuss policy issues, benefits, challenges and opportunities associated with leasing as an alternative source of asset finance,” he told the forum.
He said the government would welcome contributions and proposals from banking and non-banking institutions, business regulatory bodies, investors and development partners on how the government could support and enhance the effective use of leasing to strengthen the competitiveness of local industries.
Robert Ahomka-Lindsey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, in his welcome address, said the leasing industry provides excellent financing opportunities for the private sector, explaining that using leasing to purchase capital goods would help to improve productivity.

State Burial For Salia

By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 02 March 2009

The President has acceded to a request by Parliament for the government to honour the late Edward Salia, Member of Parliament for Jirapa, with a state burial.
“He served and sacrificed for his country, and we believe the least we can do is to accord him a befitting burial,” President Mills said of the deceased.
President Mills was responding to a request for a state burial for the late MP by the Majority Leader, Alban Bagbin, who accompanied a delegation of the bereaved family to formally inform the President about the death and invite him to the funeral slated for March 20, at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.
The President paid glowing tribute to Mr Salia describing him as “a hero who contributed immensely to national development. A nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for, he noted.
He said the government was saddened by the passing away of Mr. Salia who, he said, contributed a lot to the electoral victory of the National Democratic Congress , but did not live long enough to enjoy the victory.
He recalled that Mr. Salia actively participated in rallies in the Upper West Region. Even in his frail state of health, he generally gave off his best for the motherland.
President Mills traced his relationship with Mr. Salia to the 1970s when he taught the late MP at the University of Ghana , and revealed that he was one of the people on his mind for consideration as running mate for the 2000 election.
He consoled the bereaved family, especially the widow and children, and urged them to take heart since the Lord knew why He called their loved one to eternity.
Vice President John Mahama, described the late Salia as “the father of the deregulation of the telecom industry in Ghana”, saying that Mr Salia’s work in the telecommunication sector laid the foundation for its expansion across the country.
He also consoled the family and said Mr. Salia battled his illness bravely and would be remembered for the various sacrifices he made for the country.
Mr. Bagbin, making the request for a state burial, informed the President that the Majority and Minority sides jointly agreed, with the consent of the Speaker, to request for state support to honour their departed colleague with a befitting burial.
He acknowledged Mr Salia’s contribution to the enhancement of the work of the House, adding that even in ill health, he declined requests from colleagues to take a break from the House, maintaining that he was prepared to die working.
Prof Bruce Yakubu, the family spokesman, described Mr. Salia as a diligent and resourceful person of whom the family was proud.
The delegation, which was led by Alhaji Dauda, head of family, consisted of the widow, Mrs. Mary Asunta Salia, the children, family elders and some chiefs from Jirapa traditional area.

World Bank cautions on use of oil money

By Edmund Mingle

Thursday, 12 March 2009

The World Bank has cautioned Ghana against mismanagement of its oil revenue which could adversely affect the country’s economy.

Ms, Obiageh Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President for Africa, in a meeting with President Mills at the Castle, Osu in Accra on Wednesday, said that in view of the global financial crisis, which was affecting economies, developing economies needed to manage their resources in a manner that could reduce the impact of the crisis.

Discussions of an oil rich Ghana, she said, had become relevant because of the need to ensure that it impacted positively on the citizenry.

Ms. Ezekwesili, who is visiting Ghana as a way of striking a relationship between the Bank and the new administration, stressed that dealing with the effects of the financial crisis "is going to be really critical" for developing countries like Ghana which is already contending with a fiscal imbalance.

She was, however, glad that the national budget had been developed in a way to deal with the country's economic challenges.

She urged the government to focus more on investing in agriculture which, according to her, has three times the potential to tackle poverty.

Ms. Ezekwesili, who has been meeting the Finance and Agriculture Ministers, heads of financial institutions and other groups as part of her visit, pledged the bank’s continued assistance to enable the country to close its financial gaps.

President Mills, in his remarks, said the government was fully aware of the economic challenges and was instituting adequate measures to address them.

He said the government had a holistic view of the economy, adding that "although the picture is not as rosy as we were made to believe, we have to do everything possible to get things right.

In addition he said his administration had taken cognisance of the effects of the global financial crisis and was accordingly factoring the challenges into the government's economic planning.

He gave the assurance that the government would avoid taking desperate measures, saying it would focus on taking the right measures to deal with the socio-economic challenges.

He thanked the World Bank for the support it has advanced to Ghana over the years "which has helped us to chart a course for ourselves," and assured the bank of openness.

President Mills was of the view that the country could only get the needed support from its development partners when it was truthful and transparent in its dealings with them .

“Given the co-operation from all our partners, we should be able to weather the storm,” he said.

Prez Assures France Of Better Opportunities Here

By Edmund Mingle
Monday, 02 March 2009


President John Evans Atta Mills has assured the French business community of government’s cooperation to enable them to explore investment opportunities existing in the various sectors of the economy.
In an effort to woo more French investment into the country, President Mills told a visiting French business delegation at the Castle, Osu, that many opportunities existed in the agriculture, oil and gas, construction, roads and transport sectors which could be exploited through partnerships.
The delegation is led by Mrs Anne Marie Idrac, France’s Minister of State for External Trade.
President Mills also assured all investors that government would ensure the security of their investments through the creation of an appropriate legal regime for the business sector for them to realise the needed returns.
He said although the economy was facing challenges coupled with the effects of the global financial crisis, “our economy is resilient and will spring back.
“This is the time we need our friends most,” he said, and underscored the need to strengthen the relationship between Ghana and France, describing France as a “useful partner” in Ghana’s economic development.
He assured France of Ghana’s cooperation on bilateral issues, and called for support and cooperation from the country’s development partners to create the required resilience in the economy.
Mrs. Idrac commended Ghana for the successful peaceful election and political transition.
She announced that France, through the French Agency for Development, had approved a concessionary loan of 45million euros for the funding of two projects in Ghana.
Thirty million euros would go into the Aworshie-Pokuase road project while 15 million euros would be used to support the creation of a District Development Facility that is aimed at strengthening the country’s decentralization system.She noted that bilateral socio-economic relations with Ghana had improved in recent times and said it was the French government’s desire to enhance its ties with Africa.

The State of the Nation Address -Full Text

The State of the Nation Address is dubbed: "Rescue Plan for a Better Ghana".

STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

Madam Speaker,Thank you for receiving me in this august House to present my first State of the Nation address to Parliament as President of the Republic of Ghana.

Madam Speaker,
As the first Lady Speaker of Parliament, you occupy a unique position in our Nation's history. It is a position of which you and indeed all women of Ghana should be justifiably proud. You exemplify the fulfillment of my wish to see Ghanaian women rise to assume even more prominent positions in our land. I wish you well Madam.

I greet you Honourable Members of both sides of the House, new members as well as returning members.
Together you constitute a blend of experience and new perspectives that should inure to the benefit of this House.
The measure of the accomplishments of this House must be the degree to which its results benefit the Nation.Ghana expects that you will work in the National Interest.In a real sense your work meets expectations only to the extent that it helps us build A Better Ghana.

Madam Speaker,
Last December, the People of Ghana sat in judgment and ruled in favour of the NDC and our agenda for A Better Ghana. And so I remind my Brothers and Sisters of the Majority in this House of our obligation to keep faith with the people at all times.
We should never forget the men and women whose worries stretch from pay day to pay day.I extend a hand of friendship to our brothers and sisters of the Minority.
We must work together to fashion the requisite legislation that will help this country face and overcome her many challenges in these times of domestic and global uncertainty.
In this quest consensus-building is vital and time is very precious.
True collaboration in this House must produce solutions that address Ghana's challenges in a qualitative and timely manner.Madam Speaker,Permit me to acknowledge my predecessors; President Jerry John Rawlings and President John Agyekum Kufuor. Ghana is indeed grateful to them for their service to our Nation.
We are also grateful to them for moving our democracy further along the path to maturation. As the third President in Ghana's Fourth Republic I will play my part to add to their legacy.We will learn as a Nation to add to what is working, and to change course only when it is in the National Interest to do so.
We will depart from the practice of undoing the valuable contributions of our predecessors. A house that is constantly rebuilding its foundation is doomed to remain stuck to the foundation level, never to reach completion and decoration, let alone occupation.Ghana deserves better.Madam Speaker,Let me also acknowledge our first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, that illustrious Founder of our nation.
His selfless leadership serves as a point of reference in our determination to build a better Ghana.Incidentally, this year marks the 100th anniversary of Dr. Nkrumah's birth and as a Country we should commemorate the event in an appropriate and befitting manner.Among others, we intend to honour Dr. Nkrumah's memory with a National holiday to be known as Founder's Day and we will be presenting legislation to Parliament to this effect.

GOVERNANCE

Madam Speaker, All too often, we celebrate successful elections and cherish the growth and maturity of our democracy.
However, we tend to invest far less in the development of our democratic governance than we reap from it. Under my administration, we will take seriously into account the needs of our governance institutions.
Our 1992 Constitution established a number of institutions to foster effective balance of powers, provide ample expression for the representatives of people, guarantee access to Justice, Human Rights, Independence of the media and the right of the citizens to be empowered with knowledge about civic education.
While these institutions have performed relatively well, they are under resourced, their leaders and staff poorly motivated and their institutions thinly spread, such that ordinary citizens in remote areas are unable to access many of their services.

We will engage these independent governance institutions in a peer review of their conditions and together with them define the solutions that will propel them to fulfill their Constitutional mandates, within reasonable limits of our national resource endowments.

Madam Speaker,
Transparency in government and the fight against corruption are cardinal for sustainable development. During this administration, we will address transparency through a three dimensional approach
* Ensuring the passage of the Freedom of Information Act
* Expediting the passing of a National Broadcasting Law
* Elaboration of a Code of Conduct in Government that includes key information disclosure, ethics and anti-corruption measures.

Together these measures will enable both citizens and statutory Constitutional bodies to access the needed information to demand accountability from office-holders in the public and private sectors.
Madam Speaker,We promised many things in our Governance Reform Agenda in our Manifesto and we shall systematically work to fulfil these.
For this year, we have already delivered on our promise to establish a lean but effective government by realigning and reducing the number of Ministries.

For the rest of the year, we plan for the following areas of our Governance agenda most of which will actually be commenced next year when we would have known the true state of the nation that we have inherited.
Regarding Parliament and Parliamentarians, we will embark on the following:* The construction and furnishing of a standard "Member of Parliament Duty Post Office" in each of the 230 constituencies and the payment of an Administrator appointed by the Member of Parliament to man the office;
* The establishment of a "Member of Parliament Constituency Development Fund separate and apart from the District Assemblies Common Fund in order to release the District Assemblies Common Fund for the exclusive use of the District Assemblies and to remove one of the sources of tensions between the District Chief Executives and the Members of Parliament ;

* The assignment of National Service graduates to Members of Parliament as Research Assistants.Madam Speaker,Several areas of our governance agenda require legislative intervention. Fortunately, The IEA-sponsored "Ghana Political Parties Programme" which is made up of all the political parties with representation in Parliament has agreed on several draft Bills that will respond to this need. Consequently, the Government will consider these draft Bills for possible Parliamentary enactment in order to fill the void.

The Bills are:
* Public Financing of Political Parties Bill, including the creation of an Election Fund for political parties and guaranteed funding for the Electoral Commission;
* A new Political Parties Bill; and
* A Presidential Transition Bill.As promised in our Manifesto, we shall also introduce a Bill to amend the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998, Act 550, in order to make it more functional and effective in ensuring probity and accountability.In our desire to safeguard the guaranteed constitutional independence of these institutions, I would urge this august House, through an appropriate amendment of its Standing Orders, to consider permitting the leadership of these important national institutions to appear in person on the floor of the House at least to defend their own Budgets.
That way, the criticism of the Executive starving them of funds will be a thing of the past.
Madam Speaker,
Regarding the Judiciary, we will ensure adequate collaboration without sacrificing the independence of the Judiciary and encourage their work such as to assure expeditious dispensing of justice to all.
In this vein Government will support such developmental projects, law reform and anticorruption initiatives, as will promote the dignity of our Judiciary.
In preparation for the new District Assemblies to be established after the District Assembly elections of 2010, we will implement programmes to deepen local level democracy, accelerate decentralization and empower the people for local development. These will require major amendments to the Local Government Act, 1993 and the Local Government Service Act, 2003. To ensure that there is national consensus on the direction and scope of these amendments, we will organise a broad National Stakeholders' Conference on Decentralization this year to mark the 20th anniversary of the coming into existence of the District Assemblies and to make proposals for the amendments.
We believe also that a National Constitutional Review Conference is the surest way to ensure that our Manifesto promises as well as those of some of the other political parties which require constitutional amendments see fruition in a consensual manner. In preparation towards this Conference, we shall this year establish a Constitutional Review Committee to collate views on amendment proposals and to work towards the Conference.
Madam Speaker,
Law and order, human safety and security and protecting the people remain the cornerstone of our internal security policy. For far too long, Governments have sought to provide for the security of the people without the involvement of the agencies responsible for security.
We will be holding a series of durbars with the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Police Service, the Prisons Service and the CEPS to elicit from them directly and at first hand what their concerns and needs are.
The feedback will assist in the present conditions of work for Officers and Men in order to boost morale and improve efficiency.
Madam Speaker,I made a firm commitment to stamp out drug trafficking. In line with this, we will review the Narcotics Drugs Control, Enforcement and Sanctions Law of 1990 (PNDC LAW 236).
We aim to create a more potent drug enforcement agency that will collaborate more effectively with International drug enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute offenders.
We will bring to closure investigations into the numerous high profile drug trafficking cases of recent years and bring to book all those involved.
The law-enforcement agencies must be uncompromising in their pursuit of those who violate the human rights of others. Justice must therefore be brought to bear on those who took the lives of the Ya Na and many of His elders, Issa Molbilla and the over 30 women whose murder still remains a national mystery to mention a few.

Madam Speaker,We will continue to respect the diversity and independence of the media and in shaping opinion in our democracy.
A credible media is reflected in the quality of information they process for the consumption of the public and as a Government, we recognize our responsibility to be accessible to the media in order to bridge the information gap.

In the course of the year, I will begin a monthly radio broadcast to the nation as part of measures to enhance communication with the citizenry.
In as much as we all value accountability of government and free expression, we expect the media to look at its own inadequacies and endeavour to reconnect with the mass of citizens and to live by the tenets such as its own ethical code and the constitutional obligations enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

CHALLENGING GLOBAL ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Madam Speaker,I have assumed office at a time of heightened anxiety and insecurity in the global economy.
As we speak, the whole world has been gripped by the severe global economic downturn and associated recession. Millions of jobs have been lost in many countries.The financial meltdown has defied logic and economic rationality.

As things fall apart, institutions of global economies and financial management are under enormous stress. Such is not the gravity of the crises that no nation can traverse these hard times alone, nor can we blame anyone person or government for causing this.
The world needs a radical re-thinking of the rules, institutions and processes for global, social and economic management.
For the developing world, the initial impact has been volatility in commodity prices, reductions in foreign aid and in remittance flows from citizens working abroad who have lost their jobs.
There is imminent danger of substantial reduction in economic growth.While the exact impact of these changes on our economies are yet to be determined, it must be understood that the world as we know it has changed beyond recognition and we should not, and cannot, bank on previous arrangements, such as the generosity of donors, for our national survival.

Madam Speaker,Over the last one month of assuming office, an economic management team has been reviewing our situation thoroughly.
The reality as we have found out calls into question previous assertion that Ghana is doing well in spite of the global economic crisis.Let me highlight the fundamentals of our current economic status and predicament.

* The fiscal deficit, meaning the excess of expenditure over revenue, was GH¢ 2.5 Billion in 2008. This figure is over 15% of Gross Domestic Product. In layman's terms, we have spent a great deal more than what we earned.

* The external deficit or balance of payments for 2008 is estimated at GH¢3.42 Billion, or 18% of GDP. Here too, it means that we owe our foreign creditors far more than is fiscally prudent for an erstwhile HIPC country.
* The rate of inflation accelerated from 12.7 percent at the end of 2007, to 18.1 percent at the end of December 2008.
* In the space of two years i.e. between 2006 and 2008, our stock of external debt increased from US$2.2 billion to US$3.9 billion. This contributed to an increase in the overall national debt to US$7.6 billion in 2008, from US$5.3 billion in 2006. This is in spite of the over US$5.0 billion debt write off enjoyed by the nation from 2001.
* Over the last few months the cedi has lost substantial value with respect to the US dollar which is attributed to the delayed effect of excessive spending and trade imbalances we have experienced since 2006.

We have used up foreign exchange resources which have accrued from various debt relief arrangements to shore up the value of the cedi.In recent months as the foreign exchange inflows have dried up the cedi has come under enormous pressure.
Indeed, the decline in the value of the cedi is negating benefits which could otherwise have accrued from low world crude oil prices.We are resolved to achieve an early restoration of stability in the foreign exchange market.
This requires that we expand our exports, cut down our import bill and manage our finances carefully and live within our means.Honourable members must join me in managing this period of economic difficulty.
I assure you that we shall all benefit when the good times come, as they surely will. I am optimistic that the burden of sacrifice, if properly shared, will result in great opportunities and progress for the people of this country. I am committed to bringing the fiscal excesses under control. Without it, this country cannot pursue the aim of creating prosperity for our people.We are working on a number of measures and the Finance Minister will announce in detail the specific measures aimed at achieving macro-economic stability in the budget statement to be presented shortly. The measures will include:* Reducing State Protocol budget by half.* Reducing Official foreign travel budget by half.* Reducing Official seminars and workshops budget by half.
* Close monitoring of targets and dividends of state-owned companies and enterprises
*Reviewing the exemptions regime.
* Increasing efficiency in revenue collection.
* Negotiating the single spine wages and salaries regime.

And here Madam Speaker, permit me to commend organized labour, which obviously aware of the economic realities, is calling for broader consultation on the implementation of the single spine salary structure.
I am making sure that expenditure at the Presidency does not constitute an undue burden on the Ghanaian taxpayerI will impose austerity measures throughout the Government machinery, to ensure that we realize significant savings.
As part of these measures we will review the decision to purchase two executive Presidential aircrafts. Ghana simply cannot afford the expenditure at this time and we certainly do not need two Presidential Jets.This is the beginning of a rescue plan for building A Better Ghana.

PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT

Madam Speaker,Whilst we face these challenges our resolve should be to ensure that we continue to drive economic growth to provide opportunities for the poor. A lot of this growth will be provided by the private sector. A vibrant, globally competitive private sector must play a key role in the economic transformation and social development of GhanaMy administration therefore sees the private sector as an active partner in our development. It is largely the private sector, formal and informal, indigenous and foreign, that will be central in creating jobs and increasing government revenue through taxation which in turn will fund the social investments such as roads, schools and clinics that the NDC Government is deeply committed to delivering. It is the men and women in the private sector that my administration intends to partner, develop and grow, not only for the near term but in the longer term to secure the future and well-being of our people.We want this partnership to be built on a shared responsibility where Government provides the conditions necessary for private sector growth and where the private sector becomes a pro-active partner in development; is socially responsible and innovative so that together we can generate growth and employment and provide incomes especially for the poor. My pledge to the private sector is clear. My administration will build a robust economy and address the challenges which the private sector faces in investing, growing and expanding.In view of the breadth of our challenges, we intend to build on the multi-sectoral strategic framework for the development of the private sector which should provide the vehicle for driving and delivering the changes so urgently required in making Ghana's private sector locally and globally competitive. Given the urgency of this, the private sector development agenda will be driven and monitored at the heart of Government business at The Presidency. This is a promise I made to the private sector and the Government will translate it into action.

Madam Speaker,In my address to the Economic Retreat at Akosombo a few weeks ago, I argued the concept of justifiable continuity.
This nation must stop the discontinuities in planning that result from changes in Governments. Too often new Governments have stopped without justification, projects or programmes which previous administrations have initiated.
As a result there is a huge amount of money to be paid in respect of legal rulings both local and international against the Government of Ghana.
In conducting the business of Government we will be guided by these experiences. Whenever we consider it to be in the national interest we will renegotiate agreements using laid down procedures.
Madam Speaker,The National Youth Employment Program is essential to Ghana's overall national employment strategy, and it will be continued. However, the programme will be revised to extend employment eligibility to tertiary, vocational and other targeted groups.

AGRICULTURE
Madam Speaker,
The Government will address simultaneously the issues of food availability, access to food, response to crises situations and malnutrition.
The Government will invest adequately to maintain the production level of those crops for which we have surplus production and put in measures to increase significantly the production level of those crops for which we have deficit production.
We will also put in place measures to increase significantly the production level of the staple crops for which consumption demand exceeds domestic production.
The Aveyime Rice Project will be restored to boost rice production for internal consumption and for export.

We will move beyond rhetoric and execute a programme to rehabilitate existing irrigation schemes to ensure their efficient utilization.
We will construct additional dams, boreholes and other water harvesting facilities in areas with high agricultural potential.
The Accra Plains Irrigation Project will be vigorously pursued to make it available for all year round production.
It will be the flagship of the agricultural revolution of this administration.

Madam Speaker,Government will pursue a policy of direct intervention to make available production inputs for small farmers on credit. In addition to the credit support, Government will continue the fertilizer subsidy programme.
To address the situation of cheap poultry and meat imports, large scale cultivation of maize and soybeans will be supported to drastically reduce the cost of feed for poultry production. Tariff and non-tariff barriers will be used to give local poultry production a competitive edge over cheap imports.Government will review all existing agreements on fishing within Ghana's territorial waters to ensure that the livelihood and long-term interests of our fishermen and the residents of the coastal communities are guaranteed.Government will also enforce the prohibition of the unorthodox fishing methods currently used by some foreign and local fishing trawlers which are leading to the depletion of our marine fish resources.We will enhance the capacity and capability of the Ghana Navy and Air Force to enforce the prohibition.We will also enforce regulations on pair trawling and we will enforce the ban on the use of light and explosives for fishing.

COCOA

Madam Speaker,Government will aim to increase the yield of cocoa from 1,250kg to about 1,750kg per hectare through better farm management application of hi-tech production systems and better producer prices.The current mass cocoa spraying exercise will be intensified and extended to include brushing, pest and disease control, shade management, pollination and fertilization.In pursuance of the objective to process at least 60% of the cocoa produced locally, the NDC Government will begin negotiations for the establishment of a cocoa processing factory in the heart of the cocoa producing area of the Western Region. This will reduce the burden of transporting large quantities of cocoa beans to the ports.TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTUREMadam Speaker,Starting with our decision to merge all transportation-related Ministries except Roads and Highways under one Ministry of Transport, we are beginning the process of harmonizing our infrastructure development towards a common purpose of accelerating our national development effort with national unity and regional integration as twin-purposes.To this end we propose to fast track* The West Africa Transport and Transit project which will improve sections of the Central Corridor from Kintampo to Paga.* The Eastern Corridor project which will improve the Tema - Yendi-Tamale road links.* Completion of the Bole-Bamboi road and continue work on the entire Western Corridor Project.* Implementation of the road projects supported by the Millennium Challenge Account.We will also continue with programs such as the Urban Transport project which aims at providing mass transit facilities and services in metropolitan areas. The project will also provide the framework for better management of urban road transport services in Ghana.Government will work to eliminate duplication and streamline the policy direction for mass transit to ensure that Ghana obtains the maximum benefits from these initiatives.Madam Speaker,The vehicle population is growing at about 8% per annum, with cars and buses contributing 30% and 8% respectively to the growth. In areas such as Accra and Kumasi, the dominant mode of transport is the car with occupancy levels of about 2 per car.The vehicular volumes of about 55,000 per day on the Airport Road, 20,000 per day on the Spintex Road and 30,000 per day on the La-Teshie road make traffic congestion is inevitable.Consequently, our country is experiencing economic losses in terms of loss of productivity, high cost of transport services and high operating costs of transport services. Collaboration of the road sector managers, enforcement agencies and the Metropolitan and Municipal assemblies will be important in resolving identified congestion bottlenecks and avoid the creation of new ones.

HEALTH

Madam Speaker,During the 2008 campaign I made several commitments to the health sector. I am of the conviction that the health of our nation is the wealth of the nation.The National Health Insurance Program will be enhanced and expanded.
The one-time NHIS enrolment fee still remains an achievable goal, and we will work to make the scheme truly national.
In place of the current District Mutual Health Insurance Scheme to which one must pay an annual premium, we will seek to implement a Universal Health Insurance Scheme which will reflect the universal contribution of all Ghanaian residents to the Scheme.Since every person in Ghana contributes to the NHIS through the National Health Insurance Levy, the Universal Health Insurance Scheme will allow for a one-time premium payment to the Scheme.The National Health Insurance Scheme will be restructured to respond to the needs of the population and resolve the issue of claims management as well as those of portability.
We will also pursue the policy of de-linking children from their parents and the provision of free maternal care.Many of the common ailments and diseases affecting Ghanaians can be eliminated or controlled through better sanitation, nutrition and lifestyles. Accordingly, we will encourage all MDAs to embark upon major multi-sector collaboration with the view to improving sanitation and targeting safe food and water. It will ensure that District Assemblies, besides developing relevant regulations and guidelines will also implement and enforce them.Madam Speaker,The Implementation of the following planned projects will commence:
* Rehabilitation and Upgrading of the Tamale Teaching Hospital;
* Construction of a 100-bed General Hospital with a Malaria Research Centre at Teshie;
* Construction of a Regional Hospital with staff housing at Wa;
* Construction of six (6) District Hospitals with staff housing at Adenta/Madina, Twifo-Praso, Konongo-Odumase, Wenchi, Tepa, and Salaga;
* Construction of two (2) District Hospitals at Bekwai and Tarkwa;
* Construction of Blood Transfusion Centres in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale* The second phase for the Rehabilitation of the Bolgatanga Hospital project.Preparatory works involving site selection, feasibility studies, needs assessment, appraisal and surveys and fund mobilisation for the following projects would be undertaken in the course of the year:
* Medical Assistants Training School in the Northern, Western and Volta Regions;
* Upgrading of the Regional Hospital in Cape Coast into a fully fledged Teaching Hospital;
* Schools of Allied Health Sciences with emphasis on the training of Health Care Assistants;
* Further expansion of existing training Schools and development of new Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges;
* Expansion of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicines Centres in Accra and Kumasi into centres of excellence;
* Setting up of a New Urology Centre of excellence at Korle-Bu; and * Construction of Staff accommodation nationwide.
EDUCATION

Madam Speaker,A number of critical factors continue to threaten progress in education delivery.Some of these are gender disparities, geographical differentiations, school drop-out retention, poor transition from primary to junior high school, poor teacher deployment, and inadequate and poor school infrastructure. We will address these concerns.We will also strive to improve in a more concerted manner, the situation of second cycle education especially conditions in many of our high schools. We will address management inefficiencies which affect equity and quality in the education system and take a critical look at the utilization practices of the GETFUND.One of the most significant of the challenges facing education is the recent reform, which changed the duration of senior high school education.I am aware of the different opinions on this matter, and I am committed to providing a forum for a very dispassionate discussion on the matter. I hope this will bring the matter to closure and chart a more permanent structure that will serve the interest of learners, parents and the country at largeThe newly enacted Education Act 2008 Act 778 sets out the new outlook of the education system. The Act introduces some new components, such as the establishment of the National Inspectorate Board, National Teaching Council and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
The Government will take a second look at the Act and propose amendments as we may deem necessary following the outcome of an all-party consultation. At the same time, we will endeavour to implement the new structures proposed in the Act to ensure quality in the teaching and learning process.
The Government will pay special attention to pre-tertiary education, particular to Basic Education including Special Education, in order to build a strong foundation for learning and continued education.Net enrolment ratios in all the stages of basic education requires intensive effort on the part of Government, education administrators, parents and guardians. Together we must aim at ensuring that all Ghanaian children of school going age are in school and that Ghana achieves the target of full enrolment and completion at the basic level.
Government will pay special attention to the teaching and learning of science (including environmental science), technology, technical and vocational education as well as entrepreneurial skills at this level of education.
The National Apprenticeship Programme proposed for this level of education will be examined and an appropriate structure developed for its implementation. In this regard, the Council for Technical and Vocational Education Training (COTVET) will be empowered to perform its functions to provide the direction for technical and vocational education in Ghana.
Government will provide funds in the budget to revamp the Science Resource Centers in some selected schools during the year. In addition, mindful of its equity principle, Government will adopt a phased continuation of the construction and rehabilitation works started in the Senior High School.
The teacher will remain at the centre of attention in the effort to improve on the performance of the sector. The 38 Teacher Training Colleges, which are now diploma awarding institutions will be strengthened to achieve standards required of them.
The GES will be expected to revise its teacher deployment programme by focusing attention on the underserved areas. We will ensure that all allowances promised to teachers are paid to them. Besides, Government will support the distance learning programmes for teachers.Government will continue to support tertiary institutions to provide quality education that would give satisfaction to both graduates and employers. Government notes the on-going expansion at this level of education and commends the efforts of the private tertiary institutions.
The jobs of the future require skilled minds and products of our tertiary institutions must reflect this. The National Accreditation Board must therefore insist on the highest standards of excellence.The Non-formal Education Division has contributed to a reduction in adult illiteracy and Government will build on the progress made by resourcing it.
ENERGY

Madam Speaker,The government has directed the GNPC to exercise its option to acquire a unitized paid interest of 3.75% in the Jubilee field venture.
The value of this share is $161 million. In addition to establishing a regulatory framework for managing revenues for the benefit of Ghanaians, GNPC will also focus on expense management for the Jubilee project to ensure that development costs are fair and reasonable.
GNPC will enforce local content policy where Ghanaians will be able to participate significantly in oilfield support services towards the development of the Jubilee field and other new prospects.Revenues from oil and gas will be used to address challenges of poverty in Ghana through expenditures in priority areas of education, health, rural development, infrastructure, water and sanitation.
Other priorities will include investment in physical and social infrastructure within communities close to the oil and gas production activities, investment in a Future Generation Fund to ensure sustained well being into the long-term and investment in technical training, scientific research and development.Future ExplorationFurther intensification of exploration in the years ahead will be achieved by GNPC continuing the active promotion of investment in the capital-intensive petroleum sector.In addition to the Tano-Cape Three Points basin where recent discoveries have been made in deepwater areas, other sedimentary basins that GNPC will be encouraged to promote will include the onshore Voltaian basin which covers a large part of Ghana's surface area but where very little exploration has been undertaken to date.
TEMA OIL REFINERY

Madam Speaker,The TOR has a mountain of debt which currently stands at GHC1146 million or 11.46 trillion old cedis. The current debt profile at TOR compares with a total debt of GHC318.6 million or 3.18 trillion cedis as at December 31, 2000. The current debt is due to unpaid debts on TOR's books, interests accumulated on the old debt and subsequent losses as a result of under-recovery from the ex-refinery pricing.The TOR Debt Recovery Fund Levy had up to December 31, 2008 accumulated GHC720 million or 7.2 trillion cedis. The Government will review and get a full account of the utilization of the TOR Debt Recovery Fund.
Financial Recovery Plan for VRA and ECG

The VRA also has a mountain of debt total debt exceeding $800 million. At the insistence of creditors of VRA and ECG the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MFEP) had undertaken in May 2008 to conduct a Power Sector Financial Restructuring and Recovery Study, the findings of which was to inform the development of a Comprehensive Financial Recovery Plan for the power utilities. The study has still not been completed. Clearly, the current state of affairs is unsustainable and should not be allowed to continue under the proposed 2009 Budget. To arrest this deteriorating financial situation, Ministry of Energy will work with the Ministry of Finance to:* Develop and implement comprehensive remedial measures, especially re-capitalization, that will ensure the long term financial viability of the power utilities* Complete without further delay, the Power Sector Financial Restructuring and Recovery Study that is necessary to inform Government of Ghana budgetary decisions on re-capitalization of the two power utilities plus the NED.* Develop a Comprehensive Financial Recovery Plan for the three power utilities.
POWER Ghana's installed electricity generation is about 1800 MW, excluding the emergency power plants. We will increase generation capacity in the country to at least 5000MW within the medium term. The anticipated increase in generation will enable cost-effective supply to meet the nation's requirements including that of VALCO.Our policy outlook for the electricity sector involves the following: * Generation of electric power shall be fully open to private and public investors as Independent Power Producers.
* We shall restore the momentum to the NDC programme to progressively provide access to electricity to all parts of the country.
* Regional co-operation and integration in electricity supply as is being developed within the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP).
The above measures will enable a lowering of the cost of producing electricity in Ghana and therefore a lowering of electricity tariffs to consumers.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Madam Speaker,We intend to bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban communities to complement the promotion of the attainment of the goals and objectives of the four thematic areas of Government.
We also aim to improve telephone subscription in both fixed and mobile sectors to reach the rural and underserved areas.We will encourage development of common telecom facilities that will enable Telecom Operators extend their services to many more communities.We intend to accelerate a programme for common transparent ICT platform to enhance Government business and promote transparency and accountability.
Through the use of ICT, Government will build a reliable database on all Government assets especially vehicles and landed propertiesWe aim to improve telephone subscription in both the fixed and mobile sectors to reach the rural and underserved areas.We will encourage development of common telecom facilities that will enable Telecom Operators extend their services to many more communities. By encouraging co-location of facilities and mutual technical collaboration, telecom service providers will benefit from economies of scale and improve communications penetration to rural areas within the next four years.Additionally GIFTEL will embark upon a schools connectivity project and so many more schools would be provided with connectivity and ICT equipment to enhance community and distance learning.
Special Social Interventions
Madam Speaker,
Under my administration, the Ministry of Women and Children will witness a significant budget increase and be strengthened to establish Gender Units in all District Assemblies and provide them with capacity to function optimally.
At the national level, we will give Cabinet authorization to the establishment of a Gender Budget Monitoring Unit in the Ministry of Women and Children in collaboration with Ministry of Finance. This unit will be given the mandate of facilitating the development of gender based budgets in all MDAs and monitoring the implementation of such budgets to ensure that the gender-equity commitments are respected and adhered to. We will revise, adapt and implement our affirmative Action Policy for Women of 1998, making sure that we have incorporated the key demands of the 2004 "Women's Manifesto for Ghana" as well as those of other political parties consistent with our women's empowerment agenda.
Ensuring Equitable Development
Madam Speaker,
By all measure of our national statistics, the three regions of the north - Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions and the Central Region show unacceptable levels of poverty and deprivation. Communities in these regions are increasingly exhibiting worsening trends of infant, child and maternal mortality. Yet at the same time, these regions possess enormous potential to propel Ghana into a more diversified and vibrant economy. In accordance with a long-standing social contract with our people, we will undertake rapid efforts to bridge the developmental gap between the north and south and re-vitalize the Central Regional Developmental Commission (CEDECOM)Specifically, my administration will in 2009 establish the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) as a more holistic development agency to harness the development of the three Northern regions and Districts in the Brong-Ahafo and Volta Regions contiguous to the Northern Region.
Using proceeds appropriated under the Northern Development Fund and with support from Development Partners, we will begin urgent development interventions in the three Northern Regions to bring the needed relief for farmers and residents whose livelihoods were destroyed by 2 successive floods.
We will also begin the process of enabling the private sector and civil society in these regions to accelerate development that enhances incomes and provide employment for the youth.In the Central Region we will revive CEDECOM to develop a poverty reduction and employment generation master plan, especially targeted at the marginalized fishing communities. Seed funds will be created to enable CEDECOM to become a more reliable development catalyst for development and poverty reduction in the Central Region.
SPORTS

Madam Speaker, We have come to meet a draft Sports Bill from the past administration. We will review it with various stakeholders and present it to Parliament in line with our Manifesto of developing a comprehensive Sports Policy and related legislation to regulate and guide sports development in Ghana.
Our goal is to move away from the over-concentration on soccer and to some extent boxing. We must unearth and harness potential in track and field by giving inter-collegiate sports a new impetusWe will also structure management set-up to maximize returns from the four (4) new stadia built for the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and the new Cape Coast stadium that obviously the NDC Government has to complete.
The immediate preoccupation of Government, apart from the draft sport bill and the sports policy is to collaborate with the Ghana Hockey Association to successfully host the 2009 Africa Hockey Cup of Nations. Government, in partnership with the Ghana Football Association will not only ensure a second appearance at 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but be one of the four nations that will play in the semi-finals and finals.Our hearts and minds will also be with the Black Satellites, who will participate in the FIFA World Cup Youth Tournament in Egypt, come September.
The ultimate target of the Government is to draw up and and execute a strategic plan that will aim at Ghana capturing the commanding heights of not only sports in Africa but the world as a whole.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Madam Speaker,It is a matter of considerable satisfaction that Ghana's foreign policy has continued to follow the principled paths delineated by the Founders of the Nation, in spite of the occasional changes in nuances over the years. And so the foreign policy of this administration will continue to be defined in its detail by the traditional features of very strong bilateral and multilateral ties, international treaty obligations and a firm commitment to the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter.We will participate in international affairs with a strong penchant for championing the causes of economic integration,, continental unity and Pan-Africanism, causes that our people have desired for so long.In that regard, our immediate focus will be on activities within ECOWAS which are likely to stimulate a more vigorous interaction at the people's level. The concept of the free movement of persons and goods throughout our respective countries must progress from mere slogans to result oriented actions that will encourage integration and economic development in our sub-region.Ghana will continue to be engaged vigorously with the world beyond the African Union. We intend to maintain an active role in the United Nations and its specialized agencies as well as in other multilateral organizations such as the Commonwealth, the Non-Aligned Movement etc. in order to shoulder our share of the responsibilities devolving on us as member of the international community.We will honour all our legitimate international treaty obligations while we seek our objectives among friendly countries that share our commitment to good governance, peace and democracy. We make such a declaration because our governance model and service to the international community will continue to be defined by an unflinching support for world peace as well as social and economic justice for all. To these ends, Madam Speaker, we are currently engaged in re-assessing Ghana's diplomatic representation around the world in order to make Ghana's diplomacy efficient and cost-effective
CONCLUSION Madam Speaker,All throughout my political campaign, I pledged to make a difference in the politics of Ghana; to depart from the vilification, backbiting, political mischief making and divisiveness which have bedeviled politics in this country.Indeed our message of change begins with the fundamental realization that there is a new way to look at our problems and use political power as an instrument to shape our future. I am determined to restore a sense of community in this country; a community in which we all share in the responsibility of shouldering the common good.I want us to be kind and generous to each other. I believe it is possible to bring back smiles to the faces of all Ghanaians, that even if economic prosperity is slow in coming, Ghanaians will say of this Government that we are truthful, honest and sincere.We will hold ourselves and all other public officials strictly accountable and that principle is non-negotiable. I will be an example to the nation.

I will be an example by being time-conscious.And because it is hypocritical for those in political office to exhort people to sacrifice for the common good when we are not prepared to do same, I will lead by example.
I believe that all Ghanaians would join me to elevate Ghanaian politics beyond pettiness, and aim for something more sublime in the interest of Mother Ghana.To this end, I extend a hand of friendship to all to join us on the path of unity and peaceful coexistence, even though we may differ in our political beliefs.Madam Speaker,This House should serve as a model to Ghanaians who should see your teamwork as a prime example of peaceful and productive coexistence.
Our Nation is faced with economic difficulties and many challenges.

Can we build a unified country where all citizens have the opportunity to give off their best to Mother Ghana while earning a good education and a dignified standard of living?
Can we all live under the Rule of Law, whereby we are all governed by the same set of Laws and are equal before the Law?

Can we build a Better and Prosperous Ghana that works in the interest of all Ghanaians?I believe that we can, and I thank you all for the opportunity to lead our Nation in the process of finding and implementing durable answers to these questions.I invite my fellow citizens to join together in the process of re-generation of our country.
We have to do it together - the past is gone - let's together build a better Ghana underpinned by honesty and integrity.Working together we can lift Ghana to greatness of which we all can be proud.
There is only one Ghana, and it must work for the betterment of all Ghanaians.Madam Speaker,I thank you for your attention.
May God Bless Ghana.