Project implementation will be prioritized – President Mahama
President John Mahama announced on Wednesday that the execution of development projects would be prioritised to cover those that have the potential to transform the lives of Ghanaians.
He said although Parliament had approved a number of development projects for implementation, Government would prioritise them in order to stay within limits of the national budget.
President Mahama said this when he inaugurated the Fourth Ghana Policy Fair on the theme: “Partnership and innovation for development” in Accra.
The programme which was organized by the Ministry of Information and Media Relations would among other things exhibit policies, projects and activities of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
It also serves as a platform for Metropolitan, Municipal, District Assemblies, as well as the Private sector to exhibit their policies, projects and activities.
The three-day Fair would also hold discussions on topics including Rationalisation of wages for improved and sustainable economic development: The case of the Single Spine Pay Policy; Promoting the petro-chemical industry for accelerated economic development; promoting the creative Arts to accelerate National Development; and Modernisation of Agriculture and agro-Business: A key to Rural Development and Youth Employment.
President Mahama said apart from bringing on board innovations for development, the fair would also offer stakeholders the opportunity to openly and constructively criticize government policies to change for the better.
He appealed to the Ministry of Information and Media Relations to step up its coordination efforts to ensure massive participation and orientation of the programme in the coming years.
The President said government would closely monitor the Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that knowledge and pieces of advice offered were implemented for the development of all.
Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister for Information and Media Relations said the action and inaction of every government depended on the policies available, hence the institution of the Fair to demonstrate to all the kind of policies government was pursuing for development.
He said the era of leaving policy determination for only the top hierarchy was now paving way for decentralization to ensure that there was grassroots participation in decision making for the development of the country.
Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Chairperson of the Council of State who chaired the programme, appealed to Investors and the Business Community to take advantage of the programme to tailor activities that would fit into their development agenda.
She also called on stakeholders to participate fully in the dialogue sessions to gain information that would enhance their investment and development partnerships.
Source: GNA