President John Dramani Mahama has assured that he has the political will to see through all the reforms that would be proposed at the end of the National Economic Dialogue underway in Accra.
President Mahama said consensus building and consultation would be the hallmark of this administration because “I believe that all of us as Ghanaians have a role to play in the development of our dear nation”.
Delivering the keynote address to open the two-day forum yesterday, President Mahama said it was time to collectively build a resilient, competitive and robust economy that worked for all citizens.
“The time for transformation is now. Let us embrace our economic transformation and unlock the full potential of our beloved country. Let us work together to build a resilient, competitive and a prosperous Ghana,” President Mahama stressed.
The dialogue which brought together stakeholders from all sectors including the financial sector, development partners, employers, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations, amongst others was on the theme ‘Resetting Ghana, building the economy we want together’.
“This theme reflects our shared commitment to creating an economy that is resilient, inclusive, and built on sustainable growth. It is an invitation to all stakeholders to contribute their ideas and dedication to this national effort,” he stated.
According to the President, the dialogue was not a platform to fulfill a political campaign promise or discuss economic challenges, but one intended to find “practical and lasting solutions” to the economic challenges that have confronted the country.
“It is a decisive step in our collective responsibility to reset Ghana’s economy, restore confidence, and build the prosperous future we all envision,” he emphasized.
Ghana, the President noted was at a pivotal moment, and the decisions that would be made at the end of the dialogue would determine the trajectory of the national economy for generations to come.
A new era of bold transformation, economic expansion, and limitless opportunities, President Mahama said, was upon Ghana and the opportunity must be grabbed to make the most of it.
At the heart of that era and vision for Ghana’s future was the implementation of the 24-hour economy that works for all, he said.
The 24-hour economy policy, a major plank of the governing NDC’s 2024 electioneering, President Mahama said, would revolutionise Ghana’s economic landscape, create sustainable jobs and position the country as a competitive force on the global stage.
Thriving economies around the world, he noted, have, under a 24-hour economy policy, embraced continued production to ensure that businesses, industries and essential services operated around the clock to maximise growth and prosperity.
“It is time for Ghana to also step forward and break free from the limitations of a traditional economy and embrace a future where opportunity is not confined by time.”
The road ahead, he acknowledged, would be tough “but it is a road we must travel. The responsibility of rebuilding Ghana’s economy does not rest on government shoulders alone”.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI & KINGSLEY ASARE…Pres assures
