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Mills calls on African governments to focus on economic
growth
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Accra, Feb 10, Ghanadot -
The President of Ghana, H.E Professor John Evans Atta Mills
has called on his colleagues African governments to focus on
economic growth rather political emancipation.
He stressed that “The era for political emancipation is
over. Now it is time for African governments to focus on
economic growth that would transform the lives of Africans.”
President Mills made this call at the opening of the 7th
Africa Investment Forum in Accra, yesterday.
The three-day forum is being attended by the Presidents of
Namibia and Togo, H.E Hifikepunye Pohamba and H.E Foure
Gnassingbe and distinguished sons and daughters of Africa.
President Mills further called on African leaders to end the
lip-services of economic integration, adding “there is no
denying the fact that the successes that have been chalked
by other Regional Economic groupings are a result of a
concerted adoption and implementation of policies.”
Most certainly, these successes have been achieved through
macroeconomic policies, coordinated infrastructure
development programmes, establishment of monetary unions and
common external tariff, and mobility of labour.
In Africa, especially at the sub-regional level, the
continent has been benefiting from a good measure of
economic integration, he indicated.
However President Mills noted that the continent could
achieve more with greater commitment aimed at developing a
common market.
The distribution of the natural resource base of the
continent makes it imperative for African countries to
deepen their resolve to develop a common market for the
benefit of all Africans, he emphasized.
Welcoming investors to come and invest in the oil and gas
industry, tourism, agriculture and agribusiness,
manufacturing, among others, President Mills pointed out
that as far as his administration was concerned, the
interest of Ghana would continue to reign supreme in
relation to every investment decision that is taken.
In Ghana, agriculture continues to remain a major pivot
around with the country’s growth agenda is revolving because
it will not only ensure food security but most importantly,
provide sustainable job opportunities for teeming unemployed
youth.
He urged the over 500 participants across Africa and beyond
to share experiences in the areas of managing oil, gas and
mineral resources in the light of Ghana’s oil and gas
discovery and the contribution of the mining sector to
economic development.
In their remarks, the Presidents of Namibia and Togo, H.E
Hifikepunye Pohamba and Foure Gnassingbe respectively
observed that after several years of political emancipation
in Africa, African countries were still slow to achieve
economic independent.
With the heavily endowment of natural resources in Africa,
our colonial masters have managed to squander them, they
added.
President Pohamba and his colleague called on business
leaders to actively debate on measures on how to ameliorate
intra-Africa trade and investment.
The Board Chairman of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)
and Co-Chair of the Forum, Dr. Ismael Yamson stressed that
theme “Accelerating Intra-African Trade and Investment” was
appropriate for this time. This is the world is still
reeling due to the global economic crisis, and urged African
countries to trade among themselves.
Ghanadot
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