NPP gov't will not take populist measures- UK Envoy

The NPP Government will continue to take pragmatic measures that will eventually create wealth and prosperity for the people.

As a people friendly Government, its decisions on all spheres of the nation’s economy will be based on well-considered programmes and activities, which will benefit all sections of the nation.

These declarations were made by H.E. Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner in London during interaction with the Ghanaian community in Chichester, West Sussex.

He said the country’s present predicament which had resulted in the present steep prices of petroleum product could have been avoided sometime ago if the previous administration had shied away from difficult decisions which were in the interest of the country.

Fortunately, he said “Ghanaians now understand that if you buy something for five pounds and sell it at three pounds, you will have a debt of two pounds. Government does not wish to accumulate debt for us to pay in the future, hence, the need to charge realistic petroleum prices”.

High Commissioner Osei praised Ghanaians for their patience and understanding of prevailing economic issues confronting the nation and added that with the sound policies being implemented by the NPP Government, there were bright prospects ahead of the nation.

Mr Osei told the gathering that the country was now geared towards “a successful take-off of the economy now that macro-economic fundamentals are sound”.

He said the reconstruction of major roads of the country such as the Accra – Kumasi, Accra – Cape Coast, Tema – Aflao into dual carriageways would considerably bring relief to the travelling public and enhance speedy movement of goods across West African countries.

Other issues highlighted by Mr. Osei included measures to beef up various activities under the President’s Special Initiatives, the Government’s decision to re-introduce large passenger buses into the transportation system, the re-equipping of the Ghana Police to make it operate more efficiently and the establishment of the Non-Resident Ghanaian Secretariat at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.

The occasion provided the opportunity for the High Commissioner to answer questions on national issues.

On HIPC, Mr. Osei said to a question that it had been beneficial and pointed out that debt relief for the year 2002 amounted to US$273million while a total of 117billion cedis were made available to district assemblies for development projects in education, health and sanitation.

Questioned on why Ghana continued to use foreign consultants, he explained that “the Government makes use of Ghanaians who have the requisite qualifications and skills for specific jobs”, stressing that “while promoting our nationals, we ought to look for the best Consultants wherever they may be found for specific tasks”.

He assured the gathering that difficulties encountered by Ghanaians in acquiring title for lands purchased and the reluctance of banks to pay interests on foreign accounts were being taken up by the Government.

He praised the association for its financial contributions towards the Professor Mustarde’s Appeal Fund for the building of the Facial Reconstruction Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and the Accra Sports Stadium Soccer Disaster Fund.

Mr. E.K. Ashiagbor, Chairman of the association thanked the High Commissioner for the visit which he described as the first in the ten- year history of the association.

“Your presence today confirms to us that you care deeply about the welfare and interest of all Ghanaians no matter where they are in the UK”, he said.

On the Government’s shares in the operations of Ghana Commercial Bank, he suggested, that Ghanaians should be encouraged to buy them instead of leaving them in the hands of foreigners.

He called for measures to be instituted to halt the exodus of health and educational professionals.

On behalf of the association, Mr. Ashiagbor, presented a cheque of 410 pounds to the Mission’s Five Pounds No Balance Fund in support of the Ghana Police Service. The donation so far is the highest donation by a Ghanaian Association in the UK. It may be recalled that the Nzema Association recently donated 200 pounds to the Fund.

At the end of the presentation, Mr. Osei presented a set of publications to the association. These included copies of brochures “So far – So Good”, documenting achievements in various sectors of the economy and Ghana – Positive Change 2002 – Developing our Communities.