ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
Mr Speaker, taking what transpired within the Tema enclave, the saboteurs destroyed bolts and nuts of the pylon at its base whiles a substance believed to be corrosive allegedly used for the damage was also seen at the scene.
This unfortunate development must be condemned by all well-meaning Ghanaians irrespective of our party affiliation because it was an attack on the integrity of this nation.
Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department (CDD) of the Ghana Police Service who visited the scene found a hacksaw as an evidence used by the suspected saboteurs.
Obviously, this is a man-made event and a clear sabotage.
Mr Speaker, I would like to urge the security agencies to intensify their investigation into the matter in order to bring perpetrators of this criminal action to book.
The general public especially those living in and around Tema, Dawhenya, Afienya, Kpone, Ashaiman and Prampram must help to volunteer information on suspected individuals to the police to aid investigations.
Mr Speaker, GRIDCo has estimated to spend a total amount of GH(C500,000 (US $100,000) to replace the two pylons that were destroyed as a result of the havoc.
This money could have obviously been spent on other useful national needs.
Mr Speaker, this unfortunate incident which is an attack on the nation must be a wakeup call to all of us on the urgent need to intensify protection of all our national assets.
In an era of technological advancement, there is an urgent need for the country to invest in technology to protect and safeguard all our strategic national installations that provide essential services for our daily survival.
Mr Speaker, it must be possible for entities such as GRIDCo, the Volta River Authority (VRA), and the Ghana Water Company Limited, Ghana Gas, Power Distribution Services (PDS) and the Bulk Oil Storage, Transportation (BOST) to be able to monitor all their assets no matter their distance from a central location by the use of technology.
This, I believe will enhance early detection when saboteurs invade our national installations.
Thank you Mr Speaker for the opportunity.
PRESIDENT JOHN KUFUOR’S THIRD ‘STATE OF THE NATION’ ADDRESS DELIVERED ON THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2003 AT PARLIAMENT Mr Speaker, As required by the Constitution, I come before this august house this morning to report on the state of our nation.
To set the tone for this report, I call the memorable words of the song composed by that remarkable Ghanaian, Ephraim Amu, whose effigy now graces the new 20,000 cedis note.
He wrote and we all sing, “Yen ara asase ni” “This is our land, land of a priceless heritage, won for us by our forefathers with their blood, sweat and toil.
It is now our turn to do our bit for it…” Mr.
Speaker, this generation of Ghanaians must resolve to contribute its bit.
The vision is to turn Ghana into a middle income country, through the vehicle of a solid macroeconomic framework as targeted in the five priority areas chosen for development, and the special initiatives that will spur the private sector to lift the nation out of the quagmire in which it has been stuck for the past 40 years, and put it on the road to achieve its promise of well-being and prosperity.
Difficult But Necessary Decisions This past year has been full of challenges, and government has had to start the first quarter of the New Year faced with many difficult but necessary decisions.
In the determination to establish a firm foundation to accelerate the economic transformation of the country, government has had to take these decisions, which require that all of us should buy into this vision and make the necessary adjustments to our patterns of behaviour.
This is why after the nation has talked about the malfunctioning of the economy for a long time, agonized about the difficult measures that can fix it for many years, and yet tried to dodge taking the hard decisions for so long, it is now having to bite the bullet in a last ditch stance to free the economy for real growth.
Hence the petroleum and utility price rationalization, and increased and efficient domestic revenue mobilisation.
Mr Speaker, one of the major problems facing the economy has been the persistent under-pricing of petroleum products.
The cost of petroleum products in the country depends on the price of crude oil and the exchange rate.
When government took the decision to increase the prices of petroleum, Ghana charged the lowest prices in the sub- region outside Nigeria.
These wide differentials encouraged an unprecedented level of smuggling activity across our borders.
Additionally, this persistent under-pricing resulted in the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) accumulating a debt that currently exceeds the primary capital of the country’s entire banking system, thereby posing a systematic risk to the whole banking sector.
Government decided there must be no further accumulation of debt and that the TOR debt must be paid within a reasonable period, but not in a manner that would cause problems for the affordability of fuel to the public.
Government also decided that the management of TOR should be made to be more efficient and the industry to be progressive opened to Private Sector participation.
Other instalments in the reform programme mean that a new independent institution will henceforth be responsible for fixing maximum allowable prices for petroleum products.
This body will be guided by a market-driven formula that has been drawn up.
And government will no longer have a hand in the fixing of prices.
I am heartened that so many Ghanaians have been understanding of the need for these policies and have been willing to put up with the difficulties.
I am, of course, aware that the people’s willingness to endure the current difficulties is a manifestation of their belief in this government that it will lead the nation out of the difficulties that have beset it for so lone, and that they believe things will get better.
And indeed, Mr Speaker, things have got better, because the people have suffered for far too long.
This conviction has been the preoccupation of government since it assumed office and has been the driving force of all government policies.
In the past two years, any objective observer will accept that the nation has made some gains.
The important thing though is for the gains to be appreciated as benchmarks of a continuum of policy growth into the long-term, rather than as replicates of the isolated gains of earlier times, since independence, which resulted from the “stop-go” approach to governmental problems.
Mr Speaker, this appreciation is the way to hold the people’s trust, and thereby influence their attitudinal change for the better.
They will then share the vision of the government and be more willing to endure the sacrifices for the positive change the nation must have.
Mr Speaker, let me use an analogy of a cartoon to illustrate the point.
The cartoon depicts two figures that met in the darkness to discuss some current problems.
One said to the other: “Oh, I know it is better to light one little candle to shed some light, but I find it a lot more emotionally fulfilling to curse the darkness.”
Cursing the darkness, Mr Speaker, is not an acceptable option for the inheritors of the land Ephraim Amu describes.
Instead of hours of “cursing the darkness” in the endless and heated talk on the FM radios and Television, we will do well for ourselves as individuals and for the nations, if we resolve to light the candles by changing work practices and attitudes to allow some light into our national life.
Managing time better, for example, taking better care of public property, and working a little harder will ensure that things do get better.
Then we shall be adding to the heritage captured so movingly in Amu’s anthem for the nation.
Salaries and wages At this stage, Mr Speaker, let me briefly address the thorny issue of wages and salaries.
I do not want in any way to underplay the difficulties in the Private or informal sectors of the economy, but I want to restrict my comments on this occasion to the public sector.
I am convinced that if government is honest with the people, there will be more understanding.
Expenditure on emoluments in the public sector is now more than 70% of total government revenue.
This means therefore that without a dramatic increase in revenue, it is near impossible to have any appreciable increase in salary levels.
This does not mean that government is unmindful of the plight of the public sector workers.
In the forthcoming Budget, there will be some room for an increase in public sector salaries, but the level must be based on our determination that wages and salaries must not be inflationary or cause disequilibrum in the economy, which I am sure no one wants.
However, as the economy grows and the revenue base expands, there will be no room for higher and more attractive increases.
The Minister of Finance has been tasked to ensure that there is some cushion for the people against the price increases in petroleum and utilities.
The truth, however, is that the nation’s current resources will not allow the salary levels that I have heard being advocated in some quarters.
I plead that the nation resist the temptation of going down the path that will take us back to the high inflation regime and a reversal of all the gains that are being made, and which will nullify all the sacrifices that have been made by all.
The Five Priority Areas Mr Speaker, last year, I spelt out the five priority areas that government has defined for accelerated development to help transform the economy.
Government is vigorously pursuing this plan of action even though the rate of implementation of many of these programmes has not been as fast as desired; and it is obvious that the public sector has not yet adjusted enough to the speed at which the Administration wants to operate.
With what public service support there is, however, a sound foundation for the economy is slowly but surely being laid through he implementation of the five priority areas, Today, Jobs and Security remain the two biggest concerns for the majority of Ghanaians, and Mr.
Speaker, I believe these concerns fit in with government's short to medium term priorities and with the National Development Plan in the long term.
Infrastructure Development Vigorous infrastructural development provides immediate jobs even as the country is opened up for long-term development.
I am happy to report that work has finally started on the construction of the arterial roads out of Accra - Accra-Aflao, Accra-Kumasi, Accra-Mamfe and in a few weeks' time, work will start on the Accra-Cape Coast road.
Apart from these high profile roads, I must mention four, out of the many other roads being constructed around the country that give me particular satisfaction.
These are the Bole-Bamboi road, which begins in Wenchi in Brong Ahafo and continues through the Northern Region, all the way to Wa in the Upper West Region; the Sekondi- Inchaban road, which was inexplicably abandoned all these decades; the Asankragwa- Enchi road, which is probably one of the most economically important roads in the country; and the Jasikan-Brewaniase Road, which links the Volta Region to the North and will provide a shorter alternative route between the north of the country and the nation's capital.
Around the country, work is in progress, building and rehabilitating the city and town roads as well as the feeder road network in fulfilment of government commitment to open up the country.
I take particular pride in the fact that after years of disgraceful neglect, the roads in the Western Region, perhaps the richest region in the country, are now getting the attention they deserve.
Unhealthy Dependence on Donors It is probably worthwhile pointing out that because we have to rely on donors and other multilateral agencies for almost all the funds for the development of roads, we are obliged to submit to and observe the varied procedures their systems require to ensure that their taxpayers' monies are used efficiently.
This invariably leads to long delays between the headline announcement of the project and the actual arrival of diggers and tractors on the roads.
This year, a total amount of almost two trillion cedis, the equivalent of about $250m will be spent on road construction.
Out of this amount, the Ghana government component is about ¢422bn.
In other words, only about 22% will come from our own resources.
Mr Speaker, the daily carnage on our roads is taking a heavy and tragic toll.
As we gather here, two members of this honourable house lie dead as a result of road accidents.
The state of the roads is a big factor in these accidents.
May the souls of the two honourable members and all who perish on our roads rest in peace.
Since we all accept the urgent need for these roads, Mr Speaker, it is imperative that we try to wean the country from the over dependence on external finance and increase internal revenue mobilisation, to give us the freedom to move faster.
And the least we can do, s to maintain these roads when they are built.
This is why the Road Development Levy and the tolling arrangements are going to be enforced in the earnest by government.
Energy Needs Jobs also depend on the availability of reliable and affordable energy.
Government is engaged in making the availability of reliable and affordable energy a reality in Ghana.
Two weeks ago, I signed the agreement for the construction of the West African Gas Pipeline.
This is a big project with vast implications for the economies of the four countries that have signed up for it.
I believe that once completed, it will go a long way to reducing the cost of energy to consumers generally, and to industry in particular.
The Akosombo Dam has for many years now been run dangerously close to being completely undermined.
When the Gas Pipeline comes on stream, it will be possible to allow the Dam to be managed more efficiently so that this invaluable heritage is not endangered.
At the moment, the country is having to depend on expensive crude oil imports to fuel thermal plants, which complement the hydro energy from Akosombo.
This the main cost of the high cost of electricity.
Mr Speaker, from recent reports, there is reason for cautious optimism from the explorations for crude oil taking place in our offshore waters.
So let us keep praying.
Information and Communications Technology Mr speaker in today's world, Information and Communications Technology provide the easiest route to getting linked to the rest of the world.
The telephone network is being expanded, and the project to provide telephone facilities, in every town with a senior secondary school or a training college, is on course.
I will soon be commissioning the facilities in Kyebi, Asiakwa and the expanded Sekondi exchange.
In the next two to three years, all the earmarked towns in all ten regions of the country will be connected.
It is to the good of the nation that more and more young people are taking to the joys of the computer and the wonders of the Internet.
The ICT Center of Excellence that is being built near the State Housing in Accra, with help from the Indian government, is due to be completed by the middle of the year.
The Center comes with five (5) satellite centers in the rural areas in line with government policy to bring the technology to rural people, who went to India to be trained as trainers at the Center, have returned and are brimming full of ideas and enthusiasm.
The Center will not only cater for Ghana but also for the sub-region and I look forward to it helping to expand our horizons to keep pace with the rest of the world.
Already, the continuing interest of international data processing companies, especially from the United States of America, which are setting up business in the country, go to emphasize the importance of this sector in generating well-paid employment for the youth.
To emphasise the importance of ICT in our economy and social development plans, I appointed a committee to advise on the establishment of a communications infrastructure company.
I have received the report and government will proceed with their recommendation for the creation of a fibre-optic backbone out of existing state assets for the communication industry as a whole.
This will greatly facilitate fair competition among communications service providers and thereby reduce the cost of communications service in the country.
Rural Development through Modernizing Agriculture Mr Speaker, at every stage of our lives and from the President to the farmer, to the carpenter, to the police Constable and to the housewife, we need to embrace technology to make life easier.
This is at the heart of the efforts to modernize agriculture, centred on rural development.
The mechanisation of agriculture will take the backbreaking drudgery out of farming and retain the interest of the youth on the land.
Rural development is the way forward for over 50 per cent of our people who live in the rural areas.
This does only mean the provision of facilities like school, water, health centres, electricity, telephones and roads; all of which are being undertaken, but also, the generation of economic and leisure activities to make the rural areas, places to aspire to live in, and not to run away from.
The Budget that is about to presented by the Minister of Finance later this month, will reflect this determination by government to develop the rural areas by modernizing agriculture.
Government will give support for the diversification of the crops grown by our farmers.
Rice, soya, cashew and cotton will receive critical and enthusiastic attention to ensure there is dramatic increase in production.
And of course, our dependable Golden Pod, Cocoa, will continue to enjoy the pride of place in government programmes.
More irrigation and water harvesting and conservation project will be continued to free agriculture from the near total dependency on the weather.
The provision of credit to women, who are the mainstay at every link in the food chain, is a quick way of combating rural poverty.
The programme is showing dividends already and will be continued.
Whilst the abundant harvest this year has helped to bring down the cost of food, it has also helped to expose the archaic nature of the agricultural system that still dominates our lives.
One week, plantain is rooting on the farms and in the markets, and a few weeks later, the cost of plantain is beyond the pocket of the worker.
This has been the bane of our people from time immemorial and it is time we overcome it by processing and adding value to our agricultural produce.
There are jobs to be created in processing, packing and marketing of our food produce.
And as part of the change in attitudes I asked for, let us accept that our foods, processed and instantly cooked, can still be as tasty without the laborious and time consuming processes that our wives and mothers go through, which we have come to describe as traditional.
Forestry Programme The forestry programme has been given fresh impetus adding seventeen thousand hectares to Ghana’s forest cover last year, and creating 76,000 jobs in the rural areas.
This programme will continue to ensure the nation reclaims all the degraded lands.
Education and Skills Training Mr Speaker, employment and productivity depend on education and on skills training; this has always been true and even more so in today’s globalise and competitive world.
This is why government has placed such emphasis on education.
The committee, which I appointed to review the state of education in the country, has presented its report to me.
Because of the understandable passions evoked by the subject, it took the committee much longer than the four months I had assigned to finish the task.
But it is a comprehensive report and in many ways, it has produced dramatic evidence that the many fears that we all have about the state of education in the country are urgently true.
The rural-urban divide in the quality of schools is real, and it undermines the developmental efforts of government.
Work has started on the project to upgrade one Senior Secondary School in each district, and thirty of them will be completed this year.
This should help in bridging this divide, and would hopefully ease the intolerable pressure on parents, students and Heads of schools during the annual scramble for places in the well-endowed secondary schools.
In the meantime, government is discussing a scheme in which some of the HIPC funds will be used to establish scholarships for bright students from deprived, rural areas to gain admission into more established schools.
I am pleased to report that the rehabilitation and construction of classrooms is proceeding with the urgency that is required, and by the middle of the year, every school child in Ghana will have a desk to use and access to basic textbooks.
Modest gains have been made in raising the level of enrolment and retention of the girl child in school.
This is an on-going crusade, which must be embraced by all to be effective.
Mr Speaker, whilst work on the rehabilitation of the infrastructure of the schools, is gathering momentum; progress is also being made with improving upon the numbers and quality of teachers.
The number of people in teacher training colleges has risen to 8,500 from a low of 6,000 in the year 2000.
The first batch of students participating in the IN- IN-OUT-IN teacher-training scheme is out in the community and their progress is being monitored keenly.
Government is not unmindful of the sacrifices inherent in the profession of teaching, and within the constraints of the economy, government is trying to upgrade the conditions of service of teachers, especially those in the rural areas.
The aim is to restore teachers to the respected status they used to enjoy.
As part of government policy to encourage the learning the learning of French, which is the official language of all our neighbouring countries, Bagabaga Training College in Tamale and Wesley College in Kumasi have started training teachers to teach French in schools.
This is to augment the effort of Somanya Training College, which has historically produced teachers for French.
Mr Speaker, mastering of the French language is of such practical necessity; it should be put on the priority list.
I can testify to this myself, Mr Speaker, from the constant embarrassment I come face to face with while I move around the sub-region.
There are many times that I wish I could do without translators.
In this era of ECOWAS, I do not wish this handicap on any Ghanaian child.
The pressure on tertiary education is still severe and many young people who should be able to access university education are unable to do so.
Government appreciates the role of the religious and other institutions that have moved to fill some of the gap, with the establishment of private universities.
Government is keenly aware of the many problems facing the state universities.
We are continuously strategizing to find the resources to deal with the crumbling infrastructure, the overcrowding, the lack of facilities and the difficult conditions students and lecturers face.
Government is endeavouring modernize and enlarge capacity in the universities.
In the meantime, I appeal to Faculty and students to make the best out of the limited facilities available.
A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body Sporting activities are healthy for the youth and competitive sports are good for the development of character.
Indeed, in addition to being good for morale, many sports are now big business.
The nation has not been doing well at all in football, the one game that excites great passion among us all.
When the Black Stars perform well, the national mood is always lightened.
But when they perform badly, we all get depressed.
Our performances in other games are no better.
Most of the games are at very rudimentary stages in the country and are developed.
To reserve this state of affairs, we must go back to basic.
School sports will be regenerated so young talent can be discovered and nurtured.
The lack of basic infrastructure is a major handicap in trying to make headway in sporting activities.