General News of 2013-03-08

Hardships will soon be over - President assures devp’t partners

President John Mahama has assured Ghana's development partners that government is doing all it can to mitigate hardships the current energy crisis has brought upon the country.

By June this year, he said, the water and energy crisis should be resolved.

Ghana’s development partners led by the EU head of mission, Claude Marten described Ghana’s economic performance as poor and far below expectation while expressing disappointment at the country’s fiscal performance last year.

But the president has assured that government will strengthen public sector institutions to discharge their duties more efficiently.

“We are going through a crisis in utility supply [and] we are doing our best to solve it.

“…I’m certain that at least for power, by the middle of the year we should reasonably have reduced the distress that it is causing industry and domestic consumers,” Mr Mahama stated.

The President said government would also ensure that water supply is especially increased in urban areas.

“…That should help in terms of Ghana’s competitiveness…” he added.