PRESIDENT Kufuor has lashed out at his critics, saying the same people who are complaining that the economy is harsh are those who were mute under the previous government.
According to him these people adopted the culture of silence under the former regime, but now they have broken their silence and are talking as though it is the NPP Government that has created the economic problems in the country..
"They played dumb, but now are cackling like chicken" The President intoned.
Speaking to Ofeibea Quist Acton of All Africa com, on BBC's Focus on Africa'programme this week, Mr Kufuor alluded to the cowardice of these critics, stressing that the so-called critics of his government had lost their voices over the past two or three decades, under the so-called revolutionary leaders who did not give them the kind of freedom they now enjoy.
Kufuor said his government has created the environment for Ghanaians to express themselves adding that this is manifested in the kind of comments people make on the FM stations and in the newspapers today.
These people hop from one FM station to the next to express their views which are their legitimate rights. Those rights were not exercised in the last 20 years, the Daily Guide reports the President as saying.
Mr Kufuor pointed out that his government has been in power for only one year and four months, "but interest rates have fallen from fifty to twenty six per cent among many other favourable economic changes, all within the period under review, which means that we are pushing the business community who are an important segment of the community (who are capable of investing) towards the market, and very fast too where they would borrow at affordable rates", he stated.
The President contended that the country could be described as poor, but quickly added that the people have the potential to do better as the country is abundantly naturally endowed with all that it takes for development to take off.
Ghana, he noted is the most attractive country in the West African sub-region for foreigners as the people are very peaceful, affable and tolerant.
Referring to the ethnic conflict in Yendi which led to the murder of the Ya-Na and several others, the BBC correspondent wondered why Ghanaians; will resort to the horrifying incident of beheading a chief, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani 11, Paramount Chief of the Dagbon Traditional Area.
The President admitted that the unfortunate incident has cast a slur on the hitherto peaceful country, and is a big problern for his government.
However he pointed out that the government has set up a judicial commission of inquiry which is set to go into the matter, and come out with recommendations for lasting solutions to the long standing chieftaincy dispute in the area.
With regard to the Ministers and officials who resigned namely, Lt-Gen Joshua Hamidu (rtd) former security advisor, Hon. Alhaji Malik Yakubu Al-Hassan former Minister of the Interior and Prince Imoru Andani former Northern Regional Minister over the Yendi crisis, the President explained that the 'officials come from the feuding families and their names have, been mentioned by a section 'of the family, as being-allegedly involved. in'the incident.
Therefore the government has accepted their letters of resignation to enable them to clear their names.
In another development, the President Kufuor also noted that the country requires journalists who are knowledgeable and can insulate themselves from their individual political inclinations and inform the people on national issues unbiased and on world affairs.
"Such opinion leaders should ensure they tell the truth but not to pollute the minds of the people with misinformation.
He made these statements when Mrs Loretta Vanderpuye of,GBC-TV on Tuesday visited the'Castle to present. her CNN African,. Journalists Award to him.
Mrs Vanderpuye, won the award with her story, "Dangers of Exhaust Emission". She said her award indicated that journalism was critical to national deve lopment and urged her colleagues in the media to take their work seriously.
