I’m a man of my word – Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given the assurance that he would fulfil all the pledges made during the electioneering period.
He said the fulfillment of those pledges remains the surest way to creating jobs and wealth for the people of Ghana, as well as returning the country onto the path of progress and prosperity.
“I made a lot of pledges during the campaign. We have started fulfilling them. The Free Senior High School policy will commence from September 2017. So you should know that what I said during the campaign was not political talk,” he said on Saturday at a meeting with transport unions and transport owners in Kumasi, during the commencement of his three-day tour of the Ashanti region.
“Yesterday, in Parliament, the ‘Asempa’ budget became law. The Appropriations Act has been made, so there is financial provision for Free SHS in the budget. Ghanaians should know that I did not lie to them during the campaign, in order to get their votes. Whatever I said I was going to do, I will do.”
“We said we were going to reduce taxes, which had become a burden on businesses and was stifling productivity. We said were going to reduce import duties on imported spare parts. The first budget has removed taxes on imported spare parts in our country. We have also abolished a number of other taxes,” he said.
This was met with a rapturous applause by the packed hall at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, with many expressing their appreciation for the various initiatives made by the government of President Akufo-Addo.
The President assured the various transport unions that “a review of the laws governing the transport sector is ongoing. We will make sure there is a proper licensing and proper registration system in place, which will protect all of us. I am giving you that assurance.”
He also reiterated his government’s commitment towards the provision of the requisite infrastructure for businesses of the transport unions and transport owners to thrive.
With the approaching Easter festivities, President Akufo-Addo bemoaned the spate of accidents and causalities that have characterized the Easter celebrations over the years.
“Let us make it our priority that this year’s Easter will see a drastic reduction in the number of accidents and fatalities on our roads. Everyone should observe the rules of the road, and make this Easter the best in terms of a reduction in accidents and causalities on our road. It is a major concern of mine. Help me make this a reality,” he said.
In a separate meeting with the leadership of market women and Kayayei at the same venue, the market women expressed annoyance at the rampant harassment by several “taskforce operatives”, who demand extra tolls from them, even after they have paid the requisite taxes to the Assembly as stipulated by law.
This, they said, was hampering their businesses and one of the reasons for the increase in prices of goods, as they are forced to pass on these costs to the consumer.
President Akufo-Addo, in his response, said the practice was unacceptable and stated that, together with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Osei Asibbey Antwi, Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, the activities of these taskforces will be regulated and those operating illegally clamped down.
He thanked the market women and Kayayei for their support in the run-up to the December 2016 election and appealed to them for their continued support throughout his tenure of office.
Source: GNA