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2017 budget will outline measures to revamp economy - Akufo-Addo assures

By MyJoyOnline
Politics 2017 budget will outline measures to revamp economy - Akufo-Addo assures
FEB 19, 2017 LISTEN

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says his government's first budget, scheduled to be presented to the nation on March 2, would detail the measures to revive the ailing Ghanaian economy.

He said he would strengthen the cedi, create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth, and ease challenges on private businesses to be competitive in the country.

Speaking to the Ghanaian Community in Banjul, The Gambia Saturday, the President reiterated his belief in the private sector to drive the creation of wealth and jobs.

“It is only when the private sector flourishes that we can create the high numbers of jobs required by the teeming masses of Ghanaian youth. When the private sector flourishes, then we will be on the sure path towards progress and prosperity for all Ghanaians," he said.

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President Akufo-Addo was in Banjul to witness the official investiture of the new President Adama Barrow whose presidency had initially been challenged by former President Yahya Jammeh.

Mr Jammeh had conceded after the country's December, 2016 Presidential poll, but later refused to step down citing issues of infraction with the election process.

He had called for the results to be annulled for a fresh election, but ECOWAS backed by African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) opposed it.

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After days of threat and counter-threat, Mr Jammeh stepped down after reaching an agreement with the sub-regional body.

The President who met the Ghanaian community after Mr Barrow's swearing in ceremony assured them that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him by the citizens at the December 7, 2016 presidential poll.

Although he lamented about the situation of the economy he inherited from his predecessor, he promised to improve the fortunes of the country.

“We are going to fix it. We have outlined a number of prudent policies and measures which are contained in our first budget to be read on the 2nd of March,” he said.

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President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the widespread nature of unemployment describing it as "a major social and economic problem."

"We have to do something about it. I believe that we are going to do something about it, and you will see that through the measures we are going to put in place in our budget,” he said.

He entreated Ghanaians resident in The Gambia to continue to respect the laws of the country, lauding them for the manner they comported themselves during the political crisis.

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