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| Gov''t''s All-Inclusive Policy Lauded |
1/20/2007 |
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The support given by President Kufuor to the appointments of some distinguished Ghanaians to take up national and international positions as part of his all-inclusive policy of governance is a sign of great maturity.
Such personalities include Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister for Public-Sector Reforms, Alhaji Boniface Saddique, Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment.
Dr. Mohammend Ibn Chambas, Executive Secretary of ECOWAS and Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah,Chief Executive Officer of the Common- wealth Telecommunications Organisation.
These observations were made by Mr. Ken Ofori Atta, Chief Executive Officer of Data Bank,an investment finance institution in a lecture on "Ghana Today – Agenda for change".
It was organised as part of the 45th Anniversary Development Forum lectures of the Ghana Institute of Public Administration (GIMPA) – Accra.
He said "our challenge is therefore to sustain our inclusive democracy, utilising the best of Ghanaian talent to drive a sustained growth-agenda to create wealth and eliminate poverty".
Mr. Ofori-Atta pointed out that, the political space in the country, has been so tainted that, majority of Ghanaians shun it, and added that, there is scarcely any institutional structure to educate and encourage the youth to go into politics.
Mr. Ofori-Atta, therefore suggested that, political internship for parliament, district assemblies, and ministers, should be initiated, especially for students in the tertiary institutions.
"This should broaden the base of future politicians, thereby ensuring that, the quality of our future politicians improves," he said.
Mr. Ofori-Atta said some deplorable social habits, that had been pervasive among Ghanaians, for the past 50 years, must be exorcised, if we should make progress as a nation.
He mentioned them as lack of respect for authority, high tolerance level for injustice; quickness to believe rumours about others, disdain for success, acceptance of mediocrity, and a derisive media, who at times erroneously persecuted fellow citizens, sometimes encouraged and paid for by fellow citizens and politicians.
On the economy, Mr. Ofori-Atta said Ghana may need about two billion US Dollars a year for the next 10 years for a sustained structural change in our economy.
He said even though the country currently do not have such savings, she is in a position to borrow commercially from the international capital market.
"We should sensibly but aggressively change our perceptions and analysis of risk and tap into this market without being irrational," he stressed.
He said Ghana must be able to create a Diasporan ministry to better capture the resources of the four billion US dollar of remittances coming into the country, while policies to grow savings and investment by Ghanaians should be promoted.
Mr. Ofori-Atta said Ghana had not performed better in the political, economic, civil society, and business fronts since 1961, but President Kufuor’s presidency for the past six years have confirmed a robustness, a can-do spirit, and restlessness that show that, we can do far more infinitely, and abundantly more than we have ever experienced.
"I am afraid that, if we therefore fail to acknowledge the fundamental, and monumental achievements which we now take for granted, we shall fail in negotiating a better future for our children and Ghana," he added.
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