<<Print>>

The President, John Mahama has promised that his government will exhibit the same sense of urgency the participants at the just ended National Economic Forum approached the discussions to solve the nation�s economic challenges. He expressed his satisfaction with the participants saying, �I am satisfied with the outcome of this forum and I am impressed at the zeal and enthusiasm you have shown over these last three days.� According to him, some of the proposed solutions proffered by the stakeholders are �far reaching� and his government will take the necessary steps to immediately implement the agreement. He made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the National Economic Forum at Senchi in Akosombo. The three-day forum organized by government brought together heads of institutions and organizations, former Governors of the Bank of Ghana (BoG), former Finance Ministers, government officials, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), political parties excluding the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and some policy think-tanks. The participants were tasked to deliberate and prescribe effective ways through which government can improve and sustain the economy which will positively impact the lives of citizens. Addressing the stakeholders, the President commended all participants and assured them that government �is committed to taking the next steps� but quickly pointed out that the solutions �are breathtaking and very far reaching.� President Mahama said some of the issues raised are currently being dealt with by government �and this forum inspires us to quicken our steps in achieving these goals.� He cited the issue of improving tax collection, the broadening of the tax net, dealing with the energy crisis and halting the free fall of the cedi �but there are others too, admittedly, we haven�t quite gotten round to implementing yet but have been flagged by the Forum as urgent.� The President noted that even though the forum has ended, �what lies ahead of us in a beginning of a new day for Ghana; one that we are together shaping as a nation.� He promised his government will carefully consider the consensus and will timely implement �all the viable solutions that you have proposed here in Senchi� adding that, �there will be no delays or distractions.� The government�s economic management team, he said, has been re-invigorated and �we will use your sense of urgency and optimism to fuel our actions as we move in the direction of change.�