We wish to react to your report on the above-mentioned headline published in August 1, 2005 edition of the Statesman.

We would first of all like to thank you for drawing our attention to the issue, but certainly not under the screaming headline which tends to lower the credibility of the website.

The Economy page is a static one which provides background information on the development of the Ghanaian economy from 1992 to 2002. The GoG website itself came into being in April 2003. The information there was vital for historical purposes as to where the economy was coming from.

Normally, at the beginning of every year, we send out letters to all MDAs requesting for the latest data about their institutions to enable us update the website. The reason is that, as a government website, it is imperative that any data put on the site should be genuine and verifiable. The last letter we sent to MDAs was dated 9th February, 2005, addressed to all Chief Directors and copied to the Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Cabinet and the Head of the Civil Service.

As at the time of the publication, only a few MDAs had responded.

Beyond that, it is apt to say that the facts and figures on the national economy can be found each year in the Budget Statement presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. The 2005 Budget Statement is posted on the Homepage and provides up-to-date facts and figures on the economy.

It is therefore not wholly true that the site carries only 1992 data. Even so, to avoid creating the wrong impression in the minds of visitors to the site, we have removed the data in question.

All the same, we wish to apologize for any inconvenience it might have caused to visitors.

We should be grateful for this rejoinder to be given the same treatment as your original story.

Thank you.

D.A. KWAPONG
AG. DIRECTOR
ISD 02/08/05

THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE STATESMAN
ACCRA

CC:THE CHAIRMAN
NATIONAL MEDIA COMMISSION
ACCRA.

HON. MINISTER
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
ACCRA.