"Judge Government By Its Track Record" - UK Envoy

Ghana's High Commissioner in the UK, His Excellency Mr Isaac Osei, has underscored the need for Ghanaians to judge the government by its track record.

In two speaking engagements to Ghanaian communities at Birmingham and Manchester as part of the Mission's outreach programme, Mr Osei said the government had within the short period of its existence demonstrated faith with the people by tackling in a systematic manner the daunting problems bequeathed to the nation by the PNDC/NDC.

He said the achievements of the government including the restoration of macro-economic stability, reduction of interest rate and inflation, halt in the free fall of the cedi, adherence to the basic tenets of the rule of law, freedom of the media and expression, among other things, are indicative of the government's resolve to fashion a progressive and orderly development for the country, in line with the aspirations of the people.

Mr Osei said in tackling the nation's economic and social problems, the government would not be tempted to take populist decisions which would eventually be detrimental to the growth of the national economy.

He urged Ghanaians living in the UK to be law-abiding and pledged the Mission's support in all activities being undertaken by them to provide support to their communities back home and to raise capital for and their businesses.

Praising Ghanaians outside for their regular remittances to their compatriots back home, Mr Osei urged those who do not to think about ways of making financial and moral contributions towards the development of the country.

"By constantly remitting home and investing your resources in small-scale ventures back home, you are helping as investors to create jobs and wealth for the nation," he said.

Both Dr Lincoln Aniteye, Chairman of Ghana Union of Manchester and Dr David Sallah, President of the Birmingham Ghanaian community association praised the High Commissioner and the Mission for instituting the outreach programme which, they said, would, bring the associations closer to the doorsteps of government.

Ghanaians who attended the events called for constant interaction with the Mission.

Issues raised during the two encounters focused on the need for free flow of information to the communities, arming the police with modern tools for their operations, the implementation of the dual citizenship law, privatisation of certain aspects of the water sector, armed robbery, conservation of energy and the cash and carry system.

Of particular interest was the self-help concept known as POP4GH to help quicken the pace for the country's development introduced by the Birmingham community.

POP4GH which stands for Partnership Outreach Programme for Ghana with headquarters in the United States and a branch office in London, would mobilise global action of all Ghanaians and their friends to contribute into a partnership fund to help the growth of Ghana's economy.