“Ghana can wean itself from reliance on aid” through industrialization, thus, the Akufo-Addo led government has initiated several flagship projects such as One District One Factory, Planting for Food and Jobs, Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme etc.
This was made known by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah during a three day Regional Ministers conference, under the theme, “Strategic Planning towards Ghana beyond Aid’ was held in Kumasi on 14th to 16th December, 2017. The conference, which was organized under the chairmanship of Nana Adu Gyamfi II, “Otumfuo Adontenhene”, was also honored by the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia and all ten (10) Regional Ministers (RMs) and their Deputies. In attendance also were Regional Coordinating Directors (RCDs), REGSEC members and some MMDCEs.
The Ashanti Regional Minister indicated that the conference was necessary in improving the capacity of Regional Ministers to ensure that “there is accountability and efficiency in the implementation of government programmes”. According to Hon. Simon Osei Mensah, Regional Ministers must “galvanize support” of stakeholders including Nanamon, MMDCE’s and the general public and align them toward the development agenda of the government.
Ashanti Regional Minister delivering a speech during the Opening of the Regional Ministers Conference
AGRICULTURE MUST BE SEEN AS THE ENGINE OF GROWTH- DR. MAHAMOUD BAWUMIA
Speaking at the Regional Ministers Conference, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia, reiterated the important role of RMs, RCDs and MMDCEs in building the infrastructure needed for economic growth. He indicate that, for Ghana to go beyond aid, agriculture must be seen as the engine of growth. “There was also the need for government to redefine it priorities to attract trade and investment, thus, a paradigm shift from exclusion to policies of inclusion was needed”.
H.E. Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia delivering a speech during the Opening of the Regional Ministers Conference
He noted that as part of inclusive policies, the government is taking steps to formalize the economy by implementing initiatives such as the National Identification Card and the National Digital Property Address System “which is the first of its kind in Ghana aimed at giving a comprehensive address system”.
H.E. Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia indicated that in order to “boost agriculture productivity and achieve sustainable industrial and agro-business development”, the government through the introduction of “Planting for Food and Jobs Programme” is investing resources into agriculture by providing financial support and inputs to farmers as well as reviving and modernizing the agricultural sector.
He also noted that through the bottom-up approach, government will re-allocate capital expenditure through the “Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme” (IPEP) which will be implemented through the Northern, Middle Belt and Coastal Development Authorities. He indicate that a draft bill establishing the three “Development Authorities” has been passed by parliament.
According to the Vice President, the government will also announce measures that will ensure transparency in accounting for Ghana’s natural resources since the country was not making maximum use of it natural resources.
In a communique issued at the end of the conference, the Regional Ministers resolved to “initiate mechanisms aimed at ensuring proper coordination and strengthening of operations of the Buffer Stock Company”. They also called on the “requisite national institutions to resolve all boundary disputes among MMDAs” and also indicated their resolution to “strengthen the monitoring of MMDAs to ensure judicious use of financial resources with special emphasis on Internally Generated Funds”.
A cross section of participants during the Regional Ministers Conference