Business News of Friday, 27 February 2015

Source: GNA

Structure of the economy to be changed – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says the structure of the economy shall be changed under a bold initiative to be introduced.

To this effect, he has challenged Ghanaians to make a conscious effort of eating what they grew as that would promote the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as well as enhance resources.

He said following his campaign for the use of locally made products, the country could boost of 60 per cent increase in local production whereas there is a 41 per cent fell in rice import bail.

The President made the remarks on Thursday when he delivered the 2015 State of the Nation Address in Parliament.

He said there was going to be the establishment of a sugar factory in the Northern Region not only to help in the provision of sugar but to also create employment opportunities for the youth.

On poultry, President Mahama said there had been a 2.8 million dollar increase in the sector, and 100 poultry farmers would be receiving support to boost their business as part of the broiler project.

The President, however, noted that a new initiative was set to be rolled to prevent the misuse of government fuel and telephone services in the public sector.

Under health, President Mahama says five more polyclinics is set to commence in the Greater Accra Region thus; Adentan, Ashiaman, Botianor and Sege.

“400 beds will be added to the Tamale Teaching Hospital whereas 13 district hospitals is going to be constructed to bring health services closer to citizens,” he said.

On the National Health Insurance Scheme, he said works were underway to ensure the scheme’s sustainability as well as citizen’s easy accessibility.

He also promised that the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital would see significant resources with a military hospital to be constructed in Kumasi.