ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
This programme seeks to support young entrepreneurs to gain access to capital, market, training and technical skills, compliance and quality assurance support and business development support services that will enable them start, build and grow their own businesses.
Speaker, the YouStart programme was successfully piloted in 2022 with seventy (70) youth-led businesses benefiting from the initial GH¢1.98 million.
Subsequently, a total of two hundred and eighty-eight thousand, eight hundred (288,800) applications have been received and are being processed by the Ghana Enterprise Agency for full operation.
Speaker, Government remains committed to infrastructure development.
Working with the private sector, we continue to explore the use of Public-Private Partnership arrangements as a financing alternative to the delivery of critical public infrastructure, such as the Accra-Tema Motorway Extensions, Accra-Takoradi Motorway, and Sogakope-Lome Transboundary Water Supply Projects.
Speaker, the seven hundred- and fifty-million-dollar ($750 million) AFRExim Bank facility, which has been secured, will make it possible for us to construct many other roads and interchanges, including the long-awaited four-tier Suame Interchange.
Speaker, we have now reached the point where we feel the impact of technology as an irreversible way of life.
We have digitised many processes; the Ghana Card has become a one-stop shop for Ghanaian identity and its usages.
We are fully convinced that our embrace of, and investment in information technology and the digital infrastructure will help us to redefine our traditional concepts of time, space, speed and nature of conducting business within our society, economy and culture.
Information technology helps all segments of society to be integrated and transformed through connectivity, in facilitating the production, distribution, and consumption of information within the whole economy and society.
We have integrated many processes within the digital environment, and for this we have to recognise the efforts of many component parts of the government, such as the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, the National Identification Authority, and especially the Vice President, Dr.
Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, who, I understand, has been nicknamed E-Bawumia.
Our need for technological reinforcement within all our structures and spaces is unending, and we will continue to push the frontiers of our engagement with the technologies of information, economic development and human transformation.
We must be cheered by the improvements being made in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make access easier.
The scheme is currently one of the better-digitalised institutions, and I hope they get the public support that they need.
I note, in particular, with satisfaction, that they have developed a self-enrolment mobile application (My NHIS App) that allows Ghana Card holders to self-enrol in the scheme and this application enables registration and renewal for oneself and others by linking NHIS cards to Ghana cards.
In 2022, over 5 million members’ data was linked to their Ghana card to enable them to access healthcare using the card.
The National Health Insurance Authority has also improved its claims management processes with an emphasis on e-claims and paperless systems at all four Claims Processing Centres.
In the year under review, electronic claims processing was about seventy per cent (70%) of all claims submissions.
As of 31st December 2022, the scheme paid a total claim of GH¢1.014 billion to health service providers.
Mr Speaker, our drone delivery service is firmly established and Ghana now has six centres for Zipline drone services, making Ghana the largest aerial logistics distribution network in the world.
Zipline, through the national-scale drone delivery services, has delivered some 14.8 million (14,809,463) units of life-saving medicals, vaccines, and blood products to health facilities in Ghana by the end of 2022.
Childhood vaccines top the list with the delivery of 8.3 million doses, followed by 2.05 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
Speaker, I must say, however, that the current shortage of some childhood vaccines in the country has concerned me greatly.
This shortage, if prolonged, will affect negatively Ghana’s Childhood Immunisation Programme, which has been recognised as one of the most successful in the world.
The WHO has only recently expressed worry about a steady decline in measles vaccination coverage globally, because of the concentration on the fight against COVID-19.
In accordance with our desire not to become part of this global trend, Government has taken steps to ensure that stocks of these vaccines are procured and supplied, as a matter of emergency.
The Ghana Health Service has developed an elaborate programme to catch up on children who have missed their vaccinations immediately stocks arrive.
Speaker, I want to encourage all parents and caregivers to ensure that eligible children are vaccinated, once this programme begins.
No child should be denied access to vaccination.
Mercifully, so far, not a single child has died as a result of the outbreak.
This House has already passed into law the National Vaccine Institute Bill, which is yet to be brought for my assent.
In the near future, this Institute will ensure that, no matter what happens to the global vaccine supply chain, we can produce our own vaccines locally.
Speaker, government continues to prioritise agriculture as one of the driving forces for economic transformation.
The experiences and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict justify sufficiently our increased investment in the agricultural sector.
Indeed, the sector recorded significant successes, with an average growth rate of 6.28% from 2017 to 2021.
The consistent growth over the period has translated into improved food security, job opportunities along agricultural value chains and availability of raw materials for industry.
To address the vexed issue of post-harvest losses, we have constructed some 65 warehouses, with the remaining 15 at the advanced stages of completion.
This intervention is adding some 80,000 metric tonnes to the national grain storage capacity.
US$29.9 million worth of machinery and equipment have been procured from Brazil to boost mechanisation.
Government will, this year, commence preparatory works for establishing a Tractor and Backhoe Loader Assembly Plant in the Ashanti Region, and continue the capacity building of operators to ensure effective management and prolong the lifespan of agricultural machinery.
Mr Speaker, the impact of climate change and variability on global agricultural activities is a call to us, and, indeed, all countries, to adopt appropriate technologies and other innovative practices for sustainable agriculture and resilience against food insecurity.
Government’s response has been to continue to invest in irrigation infrastructure on both large and small scales across the country.
In 2022, government completed the rehabilitation and modernisation of large-scale irrigation schemes at Tono, Kpong and Kpong Left Bank projects.
The three schemes are expected to provide 6,766 hectares of irrigable land for all-year-round crop production.
Phases I and II of the Tamne Irrigation Project have also been completed, with Phase III of the project at 57% completion.
Mr Speaker, we are now at the most difficult stage of electricity provision around the country.
The parts that are left are the very difficult-to-access areas.
The National Electricity Access rate increased from 79.3% in 2016 to 88.54% in 2022, making us among the top six in Africa, and we are still expecting to achieve a 90% universal electricity access rate by 2024.
To reduce transmission system losses and voltage fluctuations and to improve the overall quality of the power supply, old lines are being replaced on the Western, Eastern, Coastal and Middle corridors.
It is worth noting that three new sub-stations have been commissioned between 2021 and 2022 thereby improving reliability and efficiency.
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that the Electricity Company of Ghana, has since the last quarter of 2022, embarked on an aggressive digital transformation programme.
In the first phase of this programme, set to be completed by end of April 2023, the focus is on creating a cashless and efficient payment system.
I am pleased to announce that, on 1st March 2023, all ECG District Offices became cashless.
This is a major achievement by all standards.
Since the start of this transformational programme, we have so far seen a 25% increase in monthly revenues.
The second phase of the programme will see the digitisation of postpaid bills and the digital tagging of all metres.
In our estimation, these initiatives should increase the monthly revenues of ECG by some 40% before the end of this year.
I firmly believe that the initiatives, which have been so boldly rolled out by ECG, will make revenue leakage a thing of the past, and address consumer pain points in their interactions with ECG.
Mr Speaker, we continue the fight against galamsey with the support of the security agencies, in the short term.
However, we are determined to promote responsible small-scale mining through Community Mining Schemes.
So far, 16 of these Schemes have been commissioned, with three more to be commissioned by the end of this year.
All these Schemes are supported with Gold Katchas, pieces of equipment designed to help small-scale miners extract gold from the ore without the use of mercury.
In 2021, I launched the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme.
The Programme employs several youth in the production of seedlings and reclamation of degraded mined lands.
Currently, reclamation is ongoing over one thousand hectares (1,000ha) of degraded lands in Ashanti, Eastern and Western North Regions.
Speaker, on the international front, I should state that having gained a seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the years 2022 and 2023, Ghana, as one of three Non-Permanent African Members, is working vigorously to push the Africa agenda, which includes the fight against terrorism, and the reform of the UN Security Council.
I am pleased to state that good progress is being made on the reform of the UN Security Council.
A US President, for the first time, in the person of President Joe Biden, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, have both embraced the Reform process.
It is our hope that the leaders of the three other P5 Members of the Security Council will soon do the same, and help bring about this much needed reform that will bring greater effectiveness to the work of the United Nations and the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security.
We continue to be active members of the African Union and ECOWAS, and support strongly measures both bodies have taken against unconstitutional changes in government in our Region.
We are working with our partners in the Region to strengthen regional co-operation in the fight against the terrorist menace in West Africa, hence our commitment to the Accra Initiative.
Mr Speaker, our decision to prioritise tourism, as a key policy for economic diversification, job creation and growth, is clearly paying off.
The World Economic Forum Report 2021 Travel Index ranks Ghana as the number one tourism destination in West Africa.
The potential contribution of tourism and the arts to GDP is, therefore, one that we must nurture and emphasise.
Both domestic and international tourism are rebounding significantly from the severely disruptive impact of COVID on the travel and tour industry.
International arrivals nearly trebled last year, from a low of three hundred and fifty-five thousand, one hundred and eight (355,108) in 2020, to over nine hundred and fifteen thousand (915,000).
Domestic visits to tourist sites are also up by over 55.7% during the period.
All these have been made possible by deliberate marketing initiatives and upgrades of tourist infrastructure by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and its Agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority.
“Beyond The Return” initiative, which I launched in 2019 as a sequel to the Year of Return, has re-ignited excitement about Ghana as the hub and a Mecca for the Global pan-African, a home every person of African descent must visit at least once in their lifetime.
A few days ago, at a historic ceremony in Washington DC, we conferred Ghanaian citizenship on Mother Viola Fletcher (108 years) and her brother Uncle Red (102 years), two of the only three living survivors of the Tulsa Massacre of 1921.
In May this year, I will be chairing a Tourism Stakeholder Retreat on "Rethinking Tourism for National Development & Job Creation".
I have tasked the Ministry and its Agency, the Ghana Tourism Authority, to work on the modalities to bring together all the stakeholders within the industry.
Over the next couple of years, my government will deepen even further our efforts to make tourism a strong primary source of growth for the economy.
Mr Speaker, Monday was 6th March, our Independence Day, and this year we had the main celebrations in the Volta Region.
I made the decision to rotate the Independence Day anniversary celebrations in order to enhance the cohesion and unity of our nation, and to make it clear to all segments of our population that we are all part of the “One Ghana Project”.
I am glad to inform the House that it was a happy and grand event, set against the breathtakingly beautiful background of the Adaklu mountains.
Speaker, sixty-six (66) years since our independence, Ghana has taken steady strides to becoming a more developed country.
The Ghana of 1957 is not the Ghana of 2023.
We have come a long way since the days of our six million population, with very few modern amenities for its people, to today’s population of thirty-two million, with a growing stock of modern infrastructure, spanning drones to supply our medicines, to the Ghanacard which identifies each of us as proudly Ghanaian.
As President, I have championed the innovation of policies and the execution of projects that have helped improve the quality of life of the Ghanaian people.
And, God willing, I will continue on a path that brings the most benefit to the people of Ghana.
Things may be dire today, nonetheless, we must count our blessings.
Our petrol stations have fuel, and we have been spared long, winding queues to fuel our vehicles.
Our markets and shops are, by the Grace of God, well-stocked, and we have not been faced with the prospect of the rationing of basic necessities such as fruits and vegetables.
Our children’s schooling has not been interrupted.
We have continued to provide Free SHS, Free TVET and pay teacher and nursing training allowances.
Our electricity supply has been consistent, and we have been spared the hardship of Dumsor during such a trying time.
Our country continues to be stable and at peace.
Throughout history, there are many instances of nations going through periods where dark clouds create shadows that momentarily shield the yearned-for vision from sight.
Such moments should not be ones in which despair takes over.
Such moments call for strength of character, sense of purpose and an abiding commitment to the general good.
Fellow Ghanaians, let us believe in ourselves, and in our capacity to overcome the problems that are before us.
This is a phase, and, with every fibre of my being, I am certain that this too shall pass.
We have done it before, and we will do it again.
Speaker, I thank you for your attention.
Speech delivered by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo after he was sworn in as president.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY, NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO-ADDO, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS SWEARING IN AS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE GHANA ARMED FORCES.
Mr Speaker, The Ghanaian people give thanks to Almighty God for the blessings, favour and grace He continues to bestow on them.
Exactly a month ago, that is 7 th December last year, 2016, we, the people of Ghana, in all serenity and dignity, exercised our democratic franchise freely to elect a President and Parliament of our Republic.
We are met here today to give effect to the outcome of that exercise.
In accordance with our republican custom, I, having been declared the winner of the presidential contest on 9 th December, 2016, by the returning officer, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Charlotte Osei, have taken the oath of the high office of President of the Republic, in the presence of the newly sworn Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Dr.
Mahamudu Bawumia, and the newly elected Speaker of Parliament, the Rt.
Michael Oquaye, an oath administered by the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Georgina Theodora Wood, before the elected representatives of the people assembled in this 7 th Parliament of the 4 th Republic.
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Our nation is honoured by the presence, at this solemn ceremony of investiture, of leaders and representatives of friendly countries across the globe, in particular those of the sister nations of our regional body, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and of our continental body, the African Union.
I salute the Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of the AU, His Excellency Idriss Déby, President of the Republic of Chad.
I salute the Chairperson of the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS, the historic figure, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia; our special guest of honour, His Excellency Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, and we thank him for his excellent speech; His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of mighty Nigeria; His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal; His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Republic of Togo; His Excellency Alpha Condé, President of the Republic of Guinea Conakry; His Excellency Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin; His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, President of the Republic of Mali; His Excellency Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of Burkina Faso.
We are grateful also for the presence of His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea; His Excellency Ali Bongo, President of the Republic of Gabon; and His Excellency Edgar Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia.
To them and the representatives of all the other friendly nations who are here, and former presidents and leaders, I say ‘akwaaba’, our famous word of welcome.
I have, at the outset, to thank sincerely our departing President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for his service to our nation.
He stepped into the breach of national leadership at a delicate moment in the country’s history, with the death in office, for the first time, of a sitting president, the late Prof.
John Evans Atta Mills.
He has since steered the ship of state with conviction.
His elegant, dignified acceptance of the verdict of the people on 7 th December, 2016, will, without doubt, receive the approval of history, for it has contributed significantly to the process of democratic consolidation in Ghana.
I wish him and his family well.
For myself, I am in the unique position of being able to draw on the wisdom and experience of three former Presidents of the Republic, their Excellencies Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama.
They represent the continuity of the institutions of our Republic, for which we thank God.
Speaker, I am deeply humbled by the exceptional mandate and extraordinary show of confidence that the Ghanaian people have conferred on my party, the New Patriotic Party, and on my modest person.
I am determined to do all in my power to accomplish the tasks of the mandate and justify their confidence.
I will not let you, the people of Ghana, down.
We have a proud heritage.
We are the heirs of John Mensah Sarbah, Joseph Caseley Hayford, George Pa Grant, R.S.
Blay, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, William Ofori-Atta, Cobbina Kesse, Ernest Ako Adjei, Kwame Nkrumah, Komla Agbeli Gbedema, Kojo Botsio, S.D.
Dombo, Kofi Abrefa Busia, Baffuor Osei Akoto and others, who taught us that fidelity to principles, courage, patience, resilience and collective action do yield results.
Their love for country continues to inspire generations of us to commit our lives to the search for an enduring democratic legacy for Ghana.
It is not for nothing that when our forebears established the Ghanaian nation, they chose “Freedom and Justice” as our motto.
Our generation has to give meaning to this motto.
On March 6, in a few weeks’ time, Ghana will attain 60 years as an independent nation.
I suspect that those early nationalists would be disappointed, if they came today and saw the level of development we have achieved in 60 years of independence.
Our journey has had some highs and unfortunately many lows.
Since we accepted a consensus on how we should be governed with the onset of the Fourth Republic, we have performed more creditably.
It is within this period of 24 years that Ghana has witnessed a consistent period of development.
Sixty years after attaining nationhood, we no longer have any excuses for being poor.
I stand here today, humbled beyond measure for the opportunity to lead this country at this time and take us to a higher level in our development.
The words of JB Danquah, one of the founding fathers of the Ghanaian nation, are compelling.
He said as far back as 1960 that the duty of government should be “to liberate the energies of the people for the growth of a property owning democracy in this land, with right to life, freedom and justice, as the principles to which the government and the laws of the land should be dedicated in order specifically to enrich life, property and liberty of each and every citizen.”
We have an exuberant and young, growing population that wants the best of what the world has to offer and will not settle for “Third World” or “developing world” standards.
We have an adventurous people who are in a hurry for success.
I have no doubt that the talents, energies, sense of enterprise and innovation of the Ghanaian can be harnessed to make Ghana the place where dreams come true.
It took us a while, but the consensus on multi-party constitutional rule has been established, and, for the third time, we have had a peaceful transfer of power from a governing party to an opposition one.
We have done it without any fuss and it is now part of what we do as a people.
Kofi Abrefa Busia, Prime Minister of the Progress Party government of the 2 nd Republic, and one of the great Ghanaians, said in these eloquent words: “We regard politics as an avenue of service to our fellow men.
We hold that political power is to be exercised to make life nobler and happier.
Our success or failure should be judged by the quality of the individual, by his knowledge, his skills, his behaviour as a member of society, the standard of living he is able to enjoy and by the degree of harmony and brotherliness in our community life as a nation.”
We should move on to deepen our democracy.
It is time to make sure that we have a true separation of powers between the various arms of government.
Our Parliament, the legislative arm of government, must grow into its proper role as an effective machinery for accountability and oversight of the Executive, and not be its junior partner.
The Ghanaian Parliament, the Ghanaian Member of Parliament, must stand out as institutions that represent all that we hold dear and citizens can take pride in.
Our judiciary must inspire confidence in the citizens, so we can all see the courts as the ultimate arbitres when disputes arise, as they would.
We have worked with our national constitution for 24 years and we now know the areas that require change.
I believe a consensus is emerging that we must decentralize more.
We must devolve more power with corresponding resources to the base of our political system and to our people, in the regions and communities.