Govt committed to uplifting development - JAK

Accra, Feb.4, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday pledged the Government's commitment to uplift Ghana's socio-economic development that had not achieved any appreciable level since Independence. He said with the Government's commitment to an accelerated growth, Ministers of State should undertake extra duties and comport themselves in their assignments.

President Kufuor said this would give assurance to the citizenry that the Government was truly committed and sincere and that the services they were rendering was not on basis of any political party, tribe, religion or gender.

He said as servants of the people, they should give off their best and sacrifice to uplift the living standards of the people.

President Kufuor made the pledged when he swore into office Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Education and Sports and Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Volta Regional Minister at the Castle, Osu.

He administered the oaths of allegiance, office and secrecy and presented them with their Instruments of Appointment. President Kufuor said the country was now in a very sensitive part of her development, therefore, Ministers of State should endeavour to show to the people that they were imbued with the confidence of working under the tenets of the Constitution.

He asked Ministers to be accountable and transparent, especially as they were working under a Government of the Danquah-Busia Tradition that was founded on respect for human rights and fellow-feeling and urged them to apply themselves to diligence, humility, sense of vision and purpose.

President Kufuor said as politicians and Ministers they should endeavour to shed away the perception of suspicion people had about them and to work not only competently but also to sacrifice for the good of the nation.

"When you work with due diligence the people would show appreciation and judge you fairly; but when you work under dubious means, the people will find out that you have not served the party, people and the country well," he stressed.

Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo thanked the Government for the confidence reposed in them, adding: "We are looking for results and will not let you down. We will be part of the team that will leave a legacy for the nation at the end of your tenure."