We Have Made Gains - JAK
PRESIDENT John Agyekum Kufuor has stated that his administration has made some modest but significant gains in the economic and social sectors within a year of assuming the reins of power.
He said the cedis has estabilished against the major foreign currencies, interest rates have dropped while the inflationary trends have been brought under control.
Addresssing a mammoth rally at Mantse Agboo Naa, James Town, Accra on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the NPP Government President Kufuor, however, appealed to Ghanaians to continue to support and stand by the government in its effort to work extra hard in the coming years to improve their standards of living.
The theme for the rally was “1st Anniversay of Positive Change”. It was also addressed by ministers of state and high party functionaries.
President Kufuor said one year of his administration has been acknowledged by world leaders “even though our opponents have refused to give credit to what we have chalked in one year”.
The President said the government, after assuming office, realised that the economy was in a mess than what it had anticipated and, therefore, “we had to take certain drastic measures to bring the economy back on track”.
He said the government was encouraged by the fact that Ghanaians understood the problems and stood by it to push through the economic measures however unpleasant they might be.
“When we took the HIPC initiative, for instance, our opponents criticised us for selling the pride and honour of the country but I can assure Ghanaians that they will see the benefits of going HIPC within the next two months,” President Kufuor said.
The President stressed that the “quiet diplomacy” his government has pursued is paying good economic and social dividends.
He, however, acknowledged that the government has a lot of work to do to bring the economy out of the doldrums in the years ahead.
“It is for this reason that Ghanaians must be tolerant towards the government and to stand by us and we shall not disappoint you”.
President Kufuor pointed out that prices have begun to fall because of the pragmatic economic and social policies put in place by the government.
On the international scene, President Kufuor said Ghana has rediscovered her independence and, therefore, determined to lead the West African sub-region into the future.
“Ghana has a destiny to lead the sub-region and we want to chart a new course that will unite the peoples of West Africa,” he said.
President Kufuor said the government will continue to support and encourage the new Executive Secretary of ECOWAS, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, to succeed in bringing economic and social transformation to the peoples of West Africa.
He said despite the criticisms from the opponent of the government on his foreign trips, he will travel to any part of the world if that will mean bringing prosperity to Ghanaians.
President Kufuor explained that almost all his foreign travels were undertaken at the invitation of the leaders of the those countries and in most cases, their Presidents provided aircraft to fly his entourage.
The First Lady, Madam Theresa Kufuor, thanked Ghanaians for standing solidly behind President Kufuor despite the difficulties.
The National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Harona Esseku, said with the blessings of the Almighty God, the party is capable of managing the affairs of the country.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, said the government will not be detracted by allegations of harrassment by some members of the previous government and “we will ensure that the law takes it course”.
He said whether boycotts or walkouts by the NDC, the National Reconciliation Commission has come to stay and “ we are going to carry the reconciliation programme to the letter”.
The Attorney-General said the government will abide by the rule of law and “it is not for the government to decide who is guilty or not. It is for the courts to decide”.
The Foreign Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, said because of good governance, the rule of law and the entrenchment of democratic values, Ghanaians can now travel outside the country with pride and honour.
“World leaders now have respect for us and Ghana’s voice is now heard all over the place,” he said.
The Minister of the Interior, Alhaji Al-Hassan Malik Yakubu, assured Ghanaians of absolute freedom and security and that “the secuirty agencies are ever ready to deal absolutely with any person or group of persons who will attempt to destabilise the nation”.
The Majority Leader, Papa Owusu Ankomah, said the NPP will unify the nation and ensure that there is positive change in the lives of Ghanaians.
The Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kwasi Owusu-Yeboah, said the region is no longer the ‘World Bank’ of the NDC because the people have realised that the previous government deceived them.
“The NPP is making a headway in the region and come the year 2004, the greater portion of the region will be delivered to the NPP,” he said, amidst cheers from the large crowd.
