Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, the outgoing Minister for Information, on Thursday said government policy to continue all viable and well intentioned projects by its predecessor was a refreshing departure from the past when such projects were abandoned.

He said completing a project initiated by a predecessor was an act of political courage for which due credit must be given. "Currently dotted across the country are projects initiated by previous governments but abandoned by their successors. In such situations one can only talk about the waste of public funds on projects that eventually have no benefits for the people."

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey was speaking at the launch of an 83-page publication, "Positive Change, So Far So Good," which catalogues the achievements and challenges of the New Patriotic Party Government from January 2001 to December 2002.

He said since the government assumed office in January 2001, it had courageously and competently confronted and tackled the problems that had bedeviled the nation. "Today, the macro-economic situation has been stabilised as a result of extraordinary discipline by government in its borrowing and expenditure, and the diligent and prudent management of the economy," the Minister said.

He said due to prudent management of the economy, the government was able, during its first year, to settle 214.1 billion cedis owed to contractors for roads already constructed, 59 billion cedis to SSNIT to cover the debts of workers contributions and 72.08 billion cedis in salary arrears. Besides projects like roads, schools, clinics, markets other programmes are being undertaken for the benefit of the people and to their admiration.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said government's growing popularity stems from the faith it had kept with the people and not from bribery and bullying as was being claimed in certain quarters.