Make constructive input towards impressive economic growth - Aliu

Accra, Feb. 23, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Wednesday asked Ghanaians to make positive contributions to enrich the socio-economic interventions being made towards the attainment of a middle-income economy by 2012.

"Our Government is doing many things to bring about material progress and to provide a better life for all of us," he said. "...It is nevertheless important to realize that each of us must make a positive and constructive contribution to the changes now taking place around us."


Vice President Mahama, who was addressing an intercity meeting of Rotary Clubs in Accra and Tema, expressed optimism that with an all hands on deck approach Ghana would steadily achieve a middle-income status, thus upping its per capita income from about 400 dollars to 1,000 dollars.


The intercity meeting forms part of the centenary celebrations of Rotary Club formed in 1905 by an American, Paul Harris, in Chicago, Illinois, as a private service club. Its motto is, "Service Above Self."


Vice President Mahama challenged Rotarians to live by the ideals of their Club and help to preserve the values that made one each other's keeper.


They should also provide the platform for social dialogue and assist in the efforts to break the social barriers that divided the nation.

"I am saying this because as a nation, we are now in danger of losing the sense of brotherhood, team spirit and fellowship, which has been the essential feature of our society.


"This spontaneous fellow-feeling, this sense of obligation and the belief that we are our brother's keeper have held us together and preserved our integrity and solidarity. It constitutes the material, moral, spiritual and cultural bedrock."


Vice President Mahama also asked the Rotarians to put the "Campaign for Greater Discipline" on their agenda and champion it to successful end.


He commended Rotary Club for their immense contribution towards improving health, education and community development and urged them to expand their programmes.


The Rotarians honoured the Vice President, who was a member of the Rotary Club of Tamale.