Oil revenue should lift remaining 26% out of poverty - Short

Former British Cabinet Minister, Clare Short has challenged Ghana to use the expected revenue from crude oil to lift the remaining 26 per cent of the population living in poverty out of their situation.

Poverty level in the country is now down from 52 per cent to 26 per cent as a result of the prudent economic policies pursued over the past seven-and-a-half years.

Ms. Short threw the challenge on Tuesday, when she called at the Castle, Osu, to receive a National State Honour, "Companion of the Order of Volta", for her invaluable services to the country and outstanding virtue in support of development partnership.

President John Agyekum Kufuor decorated her with the Honour. The former British Cabinet Minister said she was impressed with Ghana's economic achievements after going in for debt relief. "The decision gave you new economic chance. The performance of the economy has since been tremendous and we are all proud of this."

She observed that there had been a lot of improvement but there was still a lot to do to take those within the poverty bracket out of it to better their lives.

President Kufuor praised Ms. Short for the exemplary understanding support she gave to the country during its moment of need, almost eight years ago, saying this was something he could not forget. The former Cabinet Minister should have received her Award on July 3, but she could not make it.