“PARTNERS IN VISION” By HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA
INTRODUCTION
Madam Speaker, Vice President, Honourable Members of the House, Just over a year ago, the citizens of Ghana elected this Government to take over the administration of our beloved country. They elected us because we promised an Agenda of Change for a better Ghana – Change that would advance the cause of democracy and renew our faith in the future of this country even as we take on a new set of development challenges.
As part of that challenge, I made a commitment to do away with the style of politics that mistook democratic transfer of power as an opportunity to wreak vengeance. I made a commitment to take a different political path to strengthen belief in ourselves and in our nation – the kind of belief exemplified by those gallant players of the Black Stars who did us proud in the Africa cup of Nations finals in Angola. I am confident they will reach for the stars at the World Cup tournament in South Africa in June 2010.
I also wish to salute the Black Satellites who took on the mighty Brazil in the finals of the World Under-20 Football Tournament and beat them with 10 men against 11 to bring home the cup. And how can we forget the exploits of our gallant local players who fought all the way to the finals of the maiden CHAN tournament in Cote d’Ivoire and returned home with the silver? Ghana football is on the ascendancy and like our footballers, we, as Ghanaians, should also believe in Ghana and in ourselves, and I don’t mind if I am plagiarising somebody’s campaign slogan.
Madam Speaker, In my ‘State of the Nation’ Address last year, I promised to create an atmosphere of inclusiveness, respect and courtesy in our national discussion and debate. I and the new administration promised to cool the overheated economy and revive the declining currency – and to bring about stability, transparency, a strong Cedi – and a new diversified industry-based economy. I promised that Ghana will become an even better example to the world in respect of our contribution to global peace and strengthening bonds of humanity as we did when we offered our widows mite to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti after the devastating earthquake.
Madam Speaker, One year after our election, I am proud to stand before you and say with confidence – “The State of the Nation is good!” If I am to be tempted to indulge in a bit of sloganeering and compare the situation of Ghana today to when we took over a year ago, I can confidently say “So Far – Much Better” Madam Speaker, I must also say that there is still a huge amount of work to be done – and you can be sure that your President and his Team are fully committed to our election promises. I would like, if I may, to touch more specifically on some of the significant changes that we have introduced in the last twelve months – and to set before you the policies that we shall follow in the years ahead. This Government has a four-year mandate – and at the end of that term our people will judge us – and what we have achieved – so that they can once again freely elect the next President and the next Administration.
A NEW ATMOSPHERE
Madam Speaker, Our nation has become an example of African Democracy of which all Ghanaians can be proud. But even so, a year ago most Ghanaians had such fixed party political allegiances that they often served to blot out the best interests of our nation.
That attitude is now changing! This Administration is consciously developing an atmosphere where criticisms are not seen as “enemy action” but rather as serious alternative views to be respected and considered. I am even more pleased that our NDC members feel just as free to criticise their own Government as opposition members do! It is my fervent hope that this atmosphere of unfettered free speech will be enjoyed responsibly – and received openly and with respect – among Ghanaians of all political loyalties. It is also my prayer that all members of this House – whatever their party – will have a sense of fairness and balance in our discussions, debates – and arguments.
Nobody has a monopoly of either vision or wisdom and we will take honest criticism in good faith. We will work together to fashion out the appropriate policies that will help our nation face and overcome her many challenges in these times of great uncertainty. When we see constructive criticism – from whatever source – we will take it on board. We shall learn – and add to – what is working – and we will change course when it is in the national interest to do so. And in all our undertakings, I will be guided by a principle I have long cherished – to always strive to make a right decision rather than a quick decision.
Madam Speaker, The Minister of Finance addressed sectoral performances in his 2010 Budget Statement last November. I will therefore not repeat what he said, but I do want to make brief observations on some critical sectors – the Economy, Agriculture, Employment, Youth Development, Education, Health, Housing Security and Governance.
ECONOMY
I will turn first to the Economy. No country has been immune from the world economic meltdown, but I must commend our Economic Management Team for the fine work that they have done and are doing. In November last year, the Minister of Finance outlined the challenges we were facing in tackling the unsustainable budget deficit, the arrears and unpaid bills, and the crippling judgment debts. We had to take bold and difficult measures to achieve fiscal consolidation and macroeconomic stability. We meticulously assessed all the arrears and commitments in the pipeline. This enabled us to devise a credible “Arrears Clearance Strategy” and avoid excessive pressures on current and future budgets. By doing so, the Government has earned commendation from the private sector, both national and international, and has sent a clear message of its determination to come to terms with the economic challenges.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
We will invest in human resource development, in key infrastructure, in the development of the oil and gas sectors, and above all, in the modernisation of agriculture and related processing activities.
FLAGSHIP PROJECTS
Ghana is poised to be a major producer of oil and gas and I have instructed the Energy Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, to fast-track investments in the necessary infrastructure, including a Deep Sea Port with a dedicated oil services facility and the rehabilitation of the Western railway corridor. These flagship investments will not only create significant employment themselves, but will also support the growth of other industries. What is more, the development of the Gas sector will allow the development of higher efficiency gas turbines – which in turn will ensure a dependable electricity supply at internationally competitive tariffs. As we announced in November, we will facilitate the development of a reliable, cost-effective and world-class communications infrastructure. We will also fast-track the development of a road transport network that will meet the economic, social and environmental needs of Ghana in the years ahead.
FOOD AND FOOD SECURITY
But, Madam Speaker, for most Ghanaians, simply getting enough good quality food is both the highest priority and the highest cost item. We are determined to make this easier for everyone to achieve. We have to recognise that we import most of our food at present, and so we have already put into action a progressive Agricultural Policy which will lead to both lower Food Prices and to more Food Security. This goal of “Food Security” will be a national priority. We will marshal all the resources at Ghana’s disposal to meet this end, for we cannot be a well-respected member of the community of nations – when we are importing food items produced in countries with a less beneficial climate than our own. Tomatoes, onions, plantain and other items are native to our climate – and we have the land and the resources to deliver these – and more – to our people. We can have no excuses – and when we next seek the people’s mandate, they will judge our success in this task.
MONEY IN OUR POCKETS
Madam Speaker, I so often hear the cry from our people that money is hard to come by. “Where is the money in our pockets that you promised?” is a question we hear almost daily. Well, Madam Speaker – I understand just how our people feel! But here too, real change is happening! We took over a run-down economy characterised by unbridled spending and far too much sole-sourcing that did not offer value for money. But in the face of mountainous challenges, we can now offer Good News and Hope! I am glad to say that we quickly halted the rapid depreciation of the Cedi and by the middle of 2009, it had begun to appreciate against almost all the major currencies of the world. Today, we have a stable currency as well as other indicators pointing to healthy economic conditions for real take-off into sustained growth.
OIL AND GAS FOR INDUSTRIAL TAKEOFF
Madam Speaker, As Ghana becomes an oil-producing nation, we will maximise – for all Ghanaians – any benefit that we can accrue from this bounty of nature. Although oil revenues will start around the fourth quarter of this year – I have already instructed the Ministry of Finance to prepare an Oil and Gas Revenue Management Bill to be submitted to Parliament for approval.
It will ensure transparency in management, and will commit the bulk of the oil revenues to a shared growth fund to finance investment in human resources development and other productive infrastructure. This will include the national power grid, an extensive road network, major extension of the water supply systems, expansion of power generation and improvement of the internal distribution system, and the development of an urban sewerage system – all part of our investment framework. Madam Speaker,
With the anticipated commercial exploitation of crude oil and gas, we are positioning Ghana for a major industrial take-off. We are laying the foundation for:
Source: GhanaWeb
