Prez: Outcome of Economic Forum, beginning of new day for Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama says the outcome of the National Economic Forum marks the beginning of a new day for Ghana.  The day, he said, "is one that we are together shaping as a nation".

In an address to officially close the three-day forum at Senchi, near Akosombo, yesterday, the President said he was satisfied with the outcome of the forum as contained in the 'Senchi Consensus'.

Mr Mahama gave an assurance that the government would take steps to implement the proposals reached in order to chart a path of progress for the nation.

"There must be no delays or distractions," he said, adding that the government's economic team had been emboldened by the agreements reached and was ready to implement the outcomes.

The Ghanaian tradition

The discussions took place at Senchi in the spirit of an old tradition of Ghanaians, he said. 

"It is the tradition of coming together to talk through our differences in order to find practical solutions to our problems," he said, adding that the tradition of problem-solving was one geared towards action.

In that context, he said a plan of action must be formulated and implemented.

Mr Mahama, therefore, gave an assurance that the government was committed to taking the next step to help advance the nation's progress.

He said having listened to the far-reaching consensus arrived at at the Senchi forum, he had reason to believe that Ghana was on the path of taking positive strides towards economic progress. 

The President said the government was already dealing with some of the issues raised and indicated that it was important for the government to quicken the steps towards achieving the desired results.

The issues being dealt with, he said, included improving efficiency in tax collection, dealing with the energy crisis and a review of the Bank of Ghana forex rules.

The President admitted that there were other outcomes of the forum that the government had not got close to implementing but noted that having been mentioned at the forum they would be tackled by the government in a fast way.

The Ho Consensus

Mr Mahama said the current consensus followed one reached in Ho in 2013 on the wage situation, adding, "It is necessary we build on the consensus reached in Ho and at Senchi to forge another understanding on the public sector compensation and productivity."

He thanked all who participated in the forum, with special thanks going to the Vice-President, Mr Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, who played a huge role in the organisation of the forum.