President Mahama interacts with Ghanaians in London

President John Dramani Mahama has given the assurance that the government would continue to pursue measures to enhance the socio-economic development of the country.

He said although a number of strides had been made over the years, government was still committed to building structures that would create job opportunities and build the capacity of people in both the public and private sectors.

President Mahama gave this assurance when he addressed the Ghanaian community in London as part of his three-day official visit to the United Kingdom.

The meeting attracted hundreds of Ghanaians living in London and other cities in the United Kingdom.

President Mahama mentioned some of the measures that the government had initiated to step up the socio-economic development of the country as; the expansion of energy capacity, building of a resilient economy that would attract investors into the country.

He said although the country was currently facing some energy challenges, government had adopted pragmatic measures that would subsequently keep those challenges at bay in the coming months and urged Ghanaians to play their roles responsibly.

On good governance, he said, government was passing a number of bills into law that would ensure transparency and the democratic freedoms for Ghanaians to participate in the daily governance of the country.

“Cabinet has approved [the] right to information bill, Local content in the petroleum sector bill among others have been approved pending parliamentary approval.”

President Mahama condemned the misuse of technology by doctoring photographs of prominent personalities and the attacks on politicians and leaders adding, “I do not think that the internet is meant for such things.”

He, therefore, challenged Ghanaians to use technology to develop strategies that would enhance the development of the country, create jobs and provide necessary skills for the youth rather than engaging in fruitless attacks on personalities.

Alhaji Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Trade and Industry, said despite the ongoing election petition in the Supreme Court, elections were not won in court but at the polling stations.

He said the 2012 elections were free, fair and transparent, and even foreign election observers testified to that, and it was, therefore, strange for the opposition, New Patriotic Party to take the issue to court.

“NDC won eight out of the 10 regions of the country, which the opposition are aware of, and yet took the case to court,” he added.

Mr Kwasi Oppong, Chairman of Ghana Union in London, appealed to all Ghanaians irrespective of affiliations, to offer support to the government to develop the country.

He commended President Mahama for meeting them to check on their welfare in London and the entire United Kingdom.