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Mills urges
economic team to ensure continuity with Kufuor's initiatives
Akosombo (E/R) Jan. 29, Ghanadot/GNA –
President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday charged his
Economic Team to factor ongoing projects into this year’s
Budget and other national planning programmes to engender
continuity.
President Mills said policies and programmes currently in
the pipeline, initiated by the last administration, which
supported positive national development, must be thoroughly
reviewed, preserved and added to the new initiative that
would be recommended.
Opening a three-day meeting of “Economic Actors of 2009
Budget” at Akosombo in the Eastern Region, President Mills
charged the Team to recognise “justifiable continuity” and
embody and preserve projects of the previous administration
and other political parties that were compatible with the
manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) upon
which it was elected into power.
He reiterated the commitment of his Administration for an
all-inclusive government, adding that, the Government would
deliver on the promises of the NDC manifesto.
President Mills urged the Team, which is preparing the basis
for the 2009 Budget, to come out with a budget that would be
a solid beginner for 2009, the next fours and beyond.
Members of the Transition Team; Officials from the Bank of
Ghana and Ministry of Finance; Representatives from Academia
and the Business Community are attending the meeting, which
would examine policies contained in the manifesto of the
government in the face of current economic reality and chart
a way to bridge the gap.
President Mills observed that the task of the Team was not
the easiest, judging from the challenges identified by the
work of the Transition Team.
He, however, expressed confidence that, the recommendation
of the meeting would respond to the challenges and set a
course for a better Ghana.
President Mills said the invitation that was extended to
“friends from supporting political parties, industries and
the academia, was to begin the formation of an alliance of
patriotic and well-meaning partners to help to drive the
national development programme.
“The sections of the Ghanaians community, who are currently
not represented here, would be called to join in subsequent
exercise of similar nature,” the President said.
He reiterated that Government’s concept of inclusiveness
involved human capital, intellectual resources and tested
ideas.
President Mills urged the experts to come out with a
framework for urgent public-private partnership that would
reduce public expenditure, expand the economy, generate
employment and meet the challenges of the current global
economic crises.
The Chairman of the Transition Team, Mr Paul Victor Obeng
said the meeting was opportune as Minister-Nominees, who
would soon be vetted by Parliament for approval, were taking
part.
President Mills, while returning from Akosombo interacted
with cheering crowds at Atimpoku and Kpong.
GNA
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