Third Ghana Policy Fair launched

Minister of Information, Mr Fritz Baffour, on Thursday launched the Third Ghana Policy Fair, scheduled for Monday, April 16, to Saturday, April 21, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The six-day fair on the theme: “Building Together in a Better Ghana” is expected to be opened by Vice President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Baffour said all Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Greater Accra Region would be brought together under one roof to provide a one-stop access to the general public.

He explained that “This would provide an avenue for people to interact freely with Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers of public institutions as well as Chief Directors, Directors and other senior members of these institutions, to offer suggestions, seek information, clarify policy issues and better understand policy and projects initiatives”.

Mr Baffour said in addition, the fair would provide the platform for private sector to explore opportunities for possible collaboration that would rake in the much needed resources as well as create employment avenues for the Ghanaian youth.

He explained that the fair concept instituted in 2010, had become one of the surest avenue through which Government provided Ghanaians with inalienable access to information, regarding the discharge of its responsibilities to the people.

Mr Baffour said achievements of President John Evans Atta Mills' Government in all sectors of the economy within the short period in office did not come about by accident, but it was as a result of the implementation of well thought out policies and programmes.

He said the fair had helped to bring governance closer to the people and resulted in the enviable record of making the people the rightful owners of government policies and programmes.

Mr Baffour said through the fair, opportunities had been created for the public to assess the performance of the Government and make a critique of its policies in an open and transparent manner.

He said: “This has also enabled us, as a government, to factor the concerns of the people into our policy decisions within each policy cycle."

Mr Baffour said this year, the fair dialogue series would witness innovative sessions and interesting topics, which would be handled by some illustrious Ghanaians.

They include Dr Kwabena Duffour, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Yao Graham, Chief Executive of Third World Network, Mr Goosie Tannoh, a consultant, Mr Kwaku Sintim Misa, Chief Executive Officer, Sapphire Production, Mr Bice Kuffour, President of MUSIGA, Ms Shirley Frimpong Manson, a film producer, Mr John Dumelo an actor, and Reverend Dr Samuel Kissiedoo.

Topics to be discussed include “Taking Full Advantage of Ghana’s Economic Gains to Transform Society”, “Meeting Ghana’s Energy Needs-Current Status and Preparations for the Future”, “Promoting the Creative Arts to Accelerate National Development”, “A Healthy Home, a Healthy Nation”, Principles of Pursuing Family Excellence”.**