General News of Wednesday, 4 May 2005

Source: GNA

Adopt sense of direction for PSI - Atutiga

Tamale, May 4, GNA - Mr Albert Atutiga, Acting Northern Regional chairman of the Convention People's Party (CPP), has called on the government to adopt a sustainable focus for its Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI).

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview in Tamale, Mr Atutiga said the PSI had no special focus to develop and build the economy, adding that it was bound to fail if the government went about tagging every establishment with PSI.

The chairman said PSI should mean a permanent special income earner or something beneficial for the country, which would also serve as a legacy by the President for the future generation, and not to be a "political funfair".

He said the NPP administration had good intentions for the nation by establishing some initiatives as means of meeting the people's needs.

"But unfortunately, many people in the country misconstrue the PSI to mean any assistance for them" he said, stressing that officials should educate the people to understand the terms and their initiatives.

"They should not go about promising the people of PSI in everything that comes to their mind, which in reality they can not implement" he added.

Mr Atutiga said the Tema Motorway, the Akosombo Dam, the Independence Square and the Accra Ohene Djan Sports stadium were all Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI) under Dr Kwame Nkrumah while Colonel I.K Acheampong concentrated on Low Cost Housing, the Stadia and dugouts for irrigation purposes.

"These are legacies that the country will continue to benefit from," he held.

He lauded the establishment of the Ayensu Starch Factory at Bawjiase as an income earner for the country and called for its sustenance.

He called on the government to draw clear distinction between the terms "Presidential" and "President's", saying, "we sometimes hear Presidential and other times President's Special Initiative."