A new beginning always brings
fresh hope, and this is a good time for all Ghanaians to resolve anew to make
this country the vibrant and prosperous place it should be.
Two years ago, the people
entrusted me with the governance of the country. They wanted an improvement in the quality of
life, and they demanded a positive change in the way things were done.
For the past two years, there
has not been a single day that I have lost sight of this responsibility, and
the fact that the hopes and aspirations of the people rest on me and my
government.
Everything government has done,
every step government has taken, has been informed by a clear appreciation of
this charge. The enormity of the problems entailed, however, has meant that
government has had no choice but to take some very difficult but unavoidable
decisions.
These decisions have been taken,
not just to correct previous mistakes, but also to initiate policies and put in
place the requisite institutional framework, without which the country will be
doomed to the stop-go superficial measures that have characterized much of the
administration of the country since independence.
There are still a few of such
difficult decisions left to take. This year, especially in the first quarter,
the nation will have to leap over a big hurdle, perhaps the last remaining big
hurdle, to put the economy firmly on the path of real growth, and thereby
effectively combat the sapping poverty that bedevils the people.
The messy petroleum situation,
the challenges of inadequate revenue mobilization, and the shortcomings of the
public sector which have rendered it incapable of absorbing and utilizing
resources as efficiently and quickly as required have been the bane of all,
otherwise serious attempts, at streamlining the economy by governments since
independence.
Government has critically
analysed these problems and it is convinced that with the cooperation and
active goodwill of the people, the nation can overcome these problems and
successfully go through this difficult, but necessary period.
To us, the most important
consideration in any policy initiative has always been its effect on the
people. In other words, the ability of the people to take such measures in
their stride and the resultant improvement in their well-being are always
paramount.
I want to assure you that this
government has no ideological or egotistical hang-ups. Indeed, nothing will be
done that will increase the suffering of the people simply to satisfy such
considerations.
Government is convinced that
these measures will yield the expected dividends and help accelerate the
economic take-off. The vigorous efforts at developing the infrastructure will
continue at a quickened pace. The health
insurance scheme will be extended to cover the entire country. The roads, schools, and communications will
all be improved upon.
The modernization of agriculture
will receive a boost to help the rural areas get a fresh lease of life. All
these will enhance the employment prospects of the youth. Fellow Ghanaians,
there are a lot of anxieties in the world today as terrorism and violent
upheavals rage in many parts of the world. The economies of even the advanced
and powerful nations are coming under heavy stress.
The consequences for small
nations like
As the year ended, however,
I am sure you all join me in
congratulating them. The events in
Fellow Ghanaians, one thing is
certain;
This is why half way through the
mandate you have given me, I urge you to continue to give your government the
support and the encouragement needed to see the task through.
My faith in
Our future is bright. Let us all
hold together and push forward. This year will surely be a good one for our
nation and
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com