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Sustain current democratic dispensation as a way of life for
all times - Kufuor
Accra, Jan. 3, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on
Wednesday appealed to Ghanaians to accept the challenge of
sustaining the country's current democratic dispensation as
a way of life for all times.
It should, in addition, become the basis of national
development, he said at the opening of the 58th annual New
Year School, at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana,
Legon.
The school is being held under the theme: "Ghana at 50,
Achievements, Challenges and the Future."
It would provide the platform for the participants and the
nation to examine key national concerns since independence,
the choices that were made and the consequences with a view
to providing directions for the future.
About 600 people including District Chief Executives,
Members of Parliament (MPs), organized labour and civil
society organizations are attending.
President Kufuor said the return to constitutional rule in
1992 signaled a new beginning for change and renewal to
address the challenges of the country's stagnated
socio-economy.
Since then, determined efforts had been made to improve the
governance system, arrest the economic decline and create
opportunities for the people to pursue productive endeavours
to realize their full potential.
He said confidence has now been restored in the economy and
the nation and that Ghana was one of the few countries rated
by the United Nations to likely achieve the Millennium
Development Goals within the specified time of 2015.
President Kufuor spoke of the many difficulties and
uncertainties that have afflicted the political system
during a greater part of the last five decades and stated
that despite the difficulties, the goal of nation building
has remained on course.
He stated that there had been impressive achievements within
the last half-century that the nation must be justifiably
proud of, citing the massive expansion of infrastructure in
terms of good road networks, telecommunication, ports and
harbours as well as urban and rural electrification.
"Social services like hospitals, potable water, educational
institutions of all levels also experienced rapid and
phenomenal expansion."
He however, said economic growth that was assumed would come
automatically in the wake of Ghana's independence to support
the desired rapid development proved to be a mirage.
This, he said, was partly due to the not-too-mature and
informed socio-economic management in governance for the
first few decades after independence and the complex Cold
War influences of the time.
President Kufuor declared the Jubilee year, a year of
national renewal and said "The stage is set for the
accelerated take-off of Ghana as a united and prosperous
nation."
Professor Daniel Adzei Bekoe, Chairman of the Council of
State, praised the School for the opportunity it has been
providing for intellectual development.
The New Year School has been organized consistently without
interruption for the past 57 years, despite the turbulent
political changes.
Professor C.N.B. Tagoe, the Vice Chancellor, asked the
participants to share the knowledge and skills acquired with
the communities when they go back.
GNA
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