We'll Ensure A Balanced Economy - Veep

Vice-President John Mahama interacting with Mr Koos Richelle, Director General of the EU Commission, at his office at the Castle. With them is Ambassador Claude Maerten (left), Head of EU Delegation to Ghana.

The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has indicated that the government is putting measures in place to ensure a balanced economy as the country prepares to take off in the oil industry.

He said Ghana would not repeat the mistakes of other African countries that had suffered from the ‘Dutch disease’, where there were increases in the exploitation of natural resources and a decline in the manufacturing sector.

Mr Mahama made the remark at the Castle in Accra, yesterday, during a courtesy call on him by an European Commission (EU) delegation led by Mr Koos Richelle, its Director-General.

He said the government was working hard to reduce over-dependence on foreign donor assistance while pragmatic efforts were being put in place to cushion the impact of any damaging effect of such withdrawal.

The Vice-President assured the EU Commission of Ghana’s determination to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

Although Ghana had made significant progress in achieving the MDGs, the country, for lack of resources, is still confronted with some challenges such as reducing infant mortality, improving maternal health delivery and addressing environmental sanitation.

Mr Mahama commended the EU Commission for its support to the country, particularly in the fields of agriculture, health and education.

For his part, Mr Richelle thanked the government for the numerous interventions being put in place to ensure that Ghana attained Middle Level Income status as a result of the oil economy.

He gave the assurance that the commission would continue to consolidate future co-operation with Ghana and the commission.