Government's policy fair to solve challenges of governance- Veep

Accra, April 27, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday gave the assurance that government's on-going Policy Fair in Accra, would entrench grassroot participation in the governance of the country and give meaning to the "Better Ghana Agenda".

He said it was also a platform to showcase the potentials and challenges of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies and to demystify the art of governance by narrowing the interface between public sector institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations. Vice President Mahama gave the assurance when he launched the first ever week-long fair on the theme: "Engaging the citizenry for a better Ghana."

He said every organisation in the country had a stake in nation building, hence the need for the sharing of ideas and views through such exhibitions to facilitate development. "The initiative is underscored by the conviction that the enterprise of nation building is a collective effort of its. population. To this end, government expects to use this policy fair to further open up governance and get the ordinary Ghanaian to be part of the development process of this country."

He announced that the policy fair would be an annual affair, which would be extended to the regions. Vice President Mahama said the fair would enable government to take a critical look at the 3, 947 schools under trees, free school uniform and exercise books programme, special scholarships for science and Mathematics students and youth in Agriculture programme among other interventions. Mr. John Akolgo Tia, Minister of Information said the fair was to serve as the turning point of information delivery in the country that would equip his outfit with adequate measures to formulate acceptable development agenda. He commended the stakeholders that brought the programme into fruition and pledged to continue working with them for the development of the country. Mr. Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman of the National Development Programme Commission, called on the Public Sector to collaborate effectively with government to achieve the better Ghana Agenda of the ruling National Democratic Congress.