Accra, (Greater Accra) 16 Sept.,

The Vice-President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, today said government will encourage members of the Writers Association of Ghana to increase the number and variety of topics on which they write. Launching a book entitled "Economics - Analytical Approach" in Accra, he said several subjects are taught in learning institutions but "unfortunately there are not enough writers to cover all the subjects". The book, which is an attempt to use elementary mathematics to construct fundamental principles of economics within the context of a free enterprise system, was written by Mr John Kow Afful, Assistant Commissioner In-Charge of statistics at the Internal Revenue Service. Prof. Mills said though foreign authors contribute to our knowledge "problem solving becomes more practical, localized and relevant when local writers become active participants in problem identification and solution". The Vice-President stressed the need for a constant upgrading of skills at all levels of human endeavour to increase the pace of development and enhance productivity. He called for hard work from all Ghanaians saying, if "we as a nation do not increase our productivity, we cannot increase our wealth" and enjoy a better life. Prof. Mills noted that the search for solutions to Ghana's economic problems did not end with the recently held economic forum in Accra, saying the next step is to apply the measures adopted. "I am, however, confident that the need to institute structures and procedures to enforce discipline in the economy will be appreciated by all Ghanaians and the implementation of the proposed economic measures will get the cooperation of all concerned", he added. Mr Afful said the book, evolving from his teaching experience in Nigeria, weaves together strands of economic thought and strings of elementary mathematics to uncover enduring instruments of economic policy. He hoped the book, which touches on microeconomics and macroeconomics, will prove useful to economics professors and lecturers. He said it will also quench students' thirst for a better understanding of the fundamentals of economics and help the public to back up their economic intuition with formal logic. Prof. Mrs Florence Dolphyne, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, who presided, advised Ghanaians to try to put their thoughts on paper for the sake of posterity, stressing that textbooks are rare in educational institutions.

Gri Bef News - 18 Sept., 97