Bolgatanga, Jan 1, GNA - The government has lived up to most of its promises in the past three years compared to previous administrations, a cross-section of Bolgatanga residents have said.

They especially mentioned roads, schools and other physical infrastructure, which had been provided and a consistent economic policy.

Other prominent themes in the random interview by the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, the last day of 2003, were free speech, unemployment, high utility bills and price hikes of consumer commodities.

There was a general view that in addition to a growing sensitivity to public opinion by the government, human rights and free speech were further entrenched during the past year.

The interviewees commended the government for the general improvement of security in the country, "We have not seen any more killings of women since this government came into power," said Miss Leticia Akanzire, a secretary.

While acknowledging the government's efforts at stabilising the economy and bringing inflation under control, the people complained about their inability to make ends meet and "no money in the system". They attributed this to the high rate of unemployment and urged the government to give priority to rural job creation.

High utility bills was another subject commented on by a large number of interviewees, with particular reference to electricity bills. "If the power we enjoy is generated at Akosombo here in Ghana, why do we have to pay such high light bills" queried one businessman Opinion was divided about the local business environment with some, saying, "the year 2003 as a bad one" while others thought it was an improvement on the previous year.

A trader, who gave her name as Ama Serwaa, said the year was a good one for business because most of her customers paid cash for the goods they purchased.

"In previous years, almost all the customers used to ask for credit," she said.

Aziz Salifu, a bicycle parts dealer, had a similar impression. "I started my business this year and it has been good. I hope next year will be equally promising for me".

Some public servants said the labour front was generally stable during the year but added that, morale among workers was generally low due to low wages, lack of logistics and poor motivation.

Others, however, thought there was no justification in ongoing agitations for increased wages, since workers did little to increase productivity and urged the government to weed out redundant labour in the public service to improve efficiency.

This would enable the government pay the few left higher salaries for contributing more to economic growth.

Mr. Godfred Abulbire, Regional Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), said he was impressed about campaigns to educate drivers and to reduce accidents.

He said he was not pleased about the misconception that the GPRTU was an organ of the previous administration and expressed the Union's preparedness to assist the government in its efforts to provide adequate and affordable transport services.

Almost all the people interviewed expressed the hope that the political and economic stability would be maintained especially during this year's general election.

They stressed the need for fair play in the polls to sustain stability and democracy.