Dr Okonjo-Iweala advises Gov’t to address fiscal deficit, domestic debt

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended Ghana for making progress in the management of the economy.

She, however, charged the government to step up efforts to address the fiscal deficit and domestic debt.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala gave the commendation yesterday when she called on President John Dramani Mahama at the Flagstaff House, Kanda in Accra.

She is in the country at the invitation of the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation (JAK Foundation) to deliver its second lecture on, “What Africa Must Do to Own the 21st Century”.

Members of the JAK Foundation, led by the acting Chief Executive Officer, Prof Alex Dodoo, led Dr Okonjo-Iweala to the seat of government to pay a courtesy call on the President and hold discussions with him.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala said the passing of laws to manage Ghana’s resources was in the right direction and charged the government “to try to manage success”.

She also asked it to focus on creating more jobs to reduce the unemployment rate.

She again asked for a more conducive environment for the private sector to play a central role in the economy.

Responding, President Mahama said the challenges facing Ghana and Nigeria were common and stressed the need for the two countries to collaborate to promote trade and finance.

He said the collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria would enhance the integration of the sub-region.

The President lauded former President Kufuor for inviting Dr Okonjo-Iweala to share her rich experience with Ghanaians.

He said he might not be at the lecture because of some engagements but indicated his resolve to read the lecture paper, which he believed would be insightful.

Source: Daily Graphic