Make inputs into government policies - President Mills

Accra, April 16, GNA - President John Atta Mills on Monday asked Ghanaians to continue to make useful inputs into the governance process with their views and ensure that they work hard to support Government in achieving a better life for all.

He said Government had adopted measures to ensure that Ghanaians are adequately informed about given opportunities so that they could take advantage of the avenues to improve their lives.

The President, who said this when he opened the third Ghana Policy Fair, underway at the International Conference Centre in Accra, added that he was happy with the feedback from the citizens through their views, stressing that one of the surest ways of developing a nation is to develop with the people.

The six-day fair, on the theme “Building Together in a Better Ghana” is to showcase to Ghanaians the various policies initiated by the Government and programmed to help bring development to the people.

The Policy Fair is expected to provide information on the various Government policies and programmes, to get the populace informed and empowered to make informed and raise concerns on issues bordering on their lives.

On display are policies on development and other related activities in the Government Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.

Additionally, the Policy Fair is being attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Directors of Government organizations, Service Commanders, students and private sector operators among others, and it is expected to promote dialogue among governance stakeholders and encourage broad debate on policy alternatives.

Some of the issues to be highlighted during the open Dialogue Sessions are the economic transformation of the economy, Ghana's energy needs, the promotion of the Creative Arts and the 2012 General Elections and the progress so far made by the Mills Administration in the education, health, roads and transport sectors.

President Mills, whose statement was read by Dr Christine Amoako-Nuamah, a Policy Advisor at the Office of the President, stressed open expression of opinions coupled with hard work towards national aspirations.

He declared: “I believe that with the Almighty on our side, we shall get to the 'promised land', and upon arrival with one voice, we shall say 'Ebenezer' that is how far the Lord has brought us.”

President Mills said that Government's commitment to the agriculture sector has resulted in increased production of major staples, and cocoa Ghana's flagship foreign exchange earner has attained a record one million tonnes in production.

He assured Ghanaians that government would be transparent and accountable to the people on the control and management of the national resources saying “we have an obligation to ensure that Ghanaians do not only enjoy the fruits of their labour, but are equally rated high in the eyes of the international community”.

He urged all to contribute to make Ghana a better place and called on the youth to show interest and understanding on policy initiatives and how they impact on their lives.