Business News of Wednesday, 28 July 2004

Source: GHANA HIGH COMMISSION, LONDON

Dev't of economoy should interest all Ghanaians

The development and continuous healthy state of the economy should interest all Ghanaians no matter their political stance, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei, Deputy Minister of Finance & Economic Planning has stated in London.

He said a healthy economy was a prerequisite for the creation of wealth for the present and future generation.

Speaking at the launch of the new biography of the President entitled ?Between Faith and History ? A Biography of J.A. Kufuor, Dr. Akoto urged Ghanaians not to forget the state of the economy when the NPP assumed office.

He said thanks to the prudent fiscal policies put in place by the government of the NPP, the economic fortunes of the country had changed for the better pointing out that Ghana's import cover had increased from a few days to almost four months.

On HIPC, Dr. Osei explained that hard work was the underlying philosophy which had enabled Ghana to successfully reach the completion point.

He noted that HIPC had been useful and beneficial and resulted in the judicious use of financial resources accruing to the nation for major reconstructional projects in the country

Dr. Osei said the challenge posed by HIPC was how to manage our way forward and build upon the gains so for achieved in various sectors of the economy.

The Minister pointed out that US$3.5b relief which would be accruing to the nation as a result of reaching the HIPC completion point, would be judiciously used in vital sectors of the economy.