The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured Ghanaians that the first budget of his administration, which will be presented to Parliament on the 2nd of March by the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, contains well-thought through policies which will put the ailing Ghanaian economy he inherited back on track.
According to President Akufo-Addo, the Ghanaian people reposed their confidence in him on December 7 largely because they believed him to be the one who could turn the dwindling fortunes of the country around.
He, therefore, noted that it was incumbent on him to justify the confidence reposed in him, and, as such, assured that he will not disappoint the people of Ghana.
The President was addressing members of the Ghanaian community resident in Banjul on Saturday, February 18, 2017, when he made this known. This was after he had attended the inauguration ceremony of President Adama Barrow and the 52nd Independence Day celebration of The Gambia.
Whilst acknowledging the fact that the economy inherited from the Mahama government was not in the best of shape, he, nonetheless, maintained that “we are going to fix it. We have outlined a number of prudent policies and measures which are contained in our first budget to be read on the 2nd of March.”
These policy initiatives and measures, amongst others, the President noted will ensure that the private sector is strengthened and flourishes, adding that “it is only when the private sector flourishes that we can create the high numbers of jobs required by the teeming masses of Ghanaian youth. When the private sector flourishes, then we will be on the sure path towards progress and prosperity for all Ghanaians.”
It is for this reason that President Akufo-Addo reiterated his belief that his government will revive the Ghanaian economy, adding that “we are going to get our economy going again, and get enterprises in our country to be more competitive, so that they can begin to employ more and more people.”
Widespread unemployment in Ghana, he said, “is a major social and economic problem, and we have to do something about it. I believe that we are going to do something about it, and you will see that through the measures we are going to put in place in our budget.”
To the members of the Ghanaian community present, he applauded them for being “law abiding”, stating that all reports he had garnered on his short visit to The Gambia was indicative of the fact that the Ghanaian community, most often than not, did not fall foul of the law. The President, thus, urged them to continue in the same vein.
Touching on the concerns raised by the leadership of the Ghanaian community, President Akufo-Addo assured that issues regarding the acquisition of Ghanaian biometric passports, and the opening of a consulate in Banjul will be addressed soon by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, who was also present at the meeting.
On the matter of high import duties levied on them at the ports in Tema and Takoradi, the President indicated that this issue is one of grave concern to Ghanaians and Ghanaian business owners. He noted that the issue of high taxes is being looked at by the Minister of Finance, and a number of tax cuts will be announced in the March 2 budget.
President Akufo-Addo, in concluding, appealed for prayers for Ghana, his government and himself, explaining that “I need your prayers all the time for me to be able to succeed. I have put together a very solid team, and I assure you that we will work together with the same spirit – the spirit of wanting to serve our country.”
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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We hear you Mr. President. Continue talking
Things were very hard under John Mahama and voted for you to come and fix things, but it looks like things are getting worse. The dollar keeps rising as well as prices if goods and services. I believe for the past two months you've received your salaries as well as your appointees. Please the talks is too much we want action. Why do you start free she in September when there are students who still cannot pay fees now. We want free she now.
THE BANK OF GHANA, DOES IT BEOLNGS TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY OR ITS A FOREIGN BANK? IF IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY WHY ARE THEY USING PRIVATE NUMBER PLATES? IF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY IS IN CHARGE OF BANK OF GHANA WHY IS THE CENTRAL BANK TRYING DESPERATELY TO DEVALUE THE CEDI? WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO PAY CONTRACTORS WHEN THE BANK OF GHANA CAN EASILY MAKE SUCH PAYMENT WITHOUT ANY HUSTLE. WHY ARE WE NOT PRINTING OUR OWN CEDI IF THE CENTRAL BANK BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY? WHY ARE WE IMPORTING THE CEDI WHEN IT CAN BE PRINTED HERE VERY EASILY? WHO HAS HIJACKED THIS COUNTRY? WHOEVER OWNS THE BANK OF GHANA IS THE ONE IN CHARGE OF THE ECONOMY AND NOT THOSE WE IGNORANTLY ELECT INTO A [VIRTUAL OFFICE]
even though Nana Addo seems to have alot of good intentions our white enemies will not make it easy for him to help. Nana must take a cue from what is happening in Nigeria. infact the same thing happened to Zimbabwe, Venezuela and other countries whos leaders wanted to a quality life for their people . Buhari made a wrong move by checking into a British hospital, he will never survive. what happened to atta mills could happen to him. all government appointees phones have been tapped and the tives listens to every single conversation they have over the phone. Nana Addos house has been heavily wired by now. charley you guys must not discuss government strategy over the phone
jonathan lagos, your level of stupidithy is unmatched!
Mr. President, just keep doing the talking if you think that is the solution. 4 years is just at the corner, so you can continue talking.
THE GOOD LORD WILL HELP YOU MR PRESIDENT.
jonathan , lagos you very s t u p i d
Akufo-Addo must halt the construction of Mahama's Schools. All in their first and second faces must be halted. They aren't appropriate for the country. Akufo-Addo must design his own schools. These would have adequate teachers flats and bungalows as well as dormitories for students. They would be sited at ideal locations.
WHICH GHANAIAN PEOPLE REPOSED THEIR CONFIDENCE IN A S2UP1D EEEDIOT?????? AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR YOU. EEEDIOUTS LIKE YOU REPOSED THEIR CONFIDENCE IN A VEGETABLE LIKE YOU,,, WHO COULDN'T COMPOSE YOUR OWN INAUGURAL SPEECH.. DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT IS CALLED A BUDGET??? SEE HOW INCOMPETENT YOU HAVE BEEN IN JUST ONE MONTH IN OFFICE...... MINISTER DESIGNATE OFFERING BRIBES,,, CHAIRMEN TAKING BRIBES AND SO ON AND FORT... AND WHICH FORWARD THINKING GHANAIAN WILL REPOSE CONFIDENCE IN SOMEONE LIKE YOU. IF NOT YOUR BACKWARD VILLAGE FOLKS..... WHEN THEY ARE SEEING THAT YOU HAVE FORMED A COMPLETE AKYIM GOVERNMENT... YOU BETTER SHINE YOUR EYES,,,, BECAUSE YOU WILL BE REMOVED BEFORE YOUR TIME.... EEEDIOT..