The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has urged Ghanaians to
guard jealously the peace and stability of the country towards democratic growth.
He stressed the government’s determination to do everything within its power to guarantee the territorial integrity and secure the safety of Ghanaians.
President Akufo-Addo, therefore, asked Ghanaians to cooperate with the security agencies by giving them the maximum support, saying that it was only through such collaboration that the nation would witness the desired results.
President Akufo-Addo was speaking at a parade of security personnel and students at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium held to mark the 65th Independence Day celebration.
This year’s celebration was on the theme: “Working together; Bouncing back better”.
It was the first time the Central Region had the opportunity to host the most remarkable day in the history of the country on its soil following the rotational celebration of the day initiated by the Akufo-Addo administration.
President Akufo-Addo noted that some individuals looking at the challenges confronting the country were ready to jeopardise the country’s reputation as a beacon of democracy and stability in Africa.
Such individuals, he said, show little or no respect to the capacity of Ghanaians to change their government peacefully through the ballot box as they had done during the 29 years of the fourth republic.
He said greater majority of Ghanaians who cherish democratic values and democratic institutions, would resist the claims of such actions and employ all legitimate means in a democracy to maintain free open access of governance.
That, he said, was hinged on the rule of law, respect for human rights and principles of democratic accountability.
He said West Africa was currently faced with worsening security situation in the Sahel with recurring terrorist attacks which he noted, was moving towards the coastal regions.
He stated that: “All efforts of transforming the Ghanaian economy and putting our nation into the path of progress and prosperity would be rendered futile if we are unable to secure our borders and give you the Ghanaian people the serenity to go about your daily activities in an atmosphere of peace and security”.
Touching on the economy, the President indicated the resolve of government towards the transformation of the economy but was optimistic of moving the country from the current challenges.
The government, he said had not thrown its hands in despair but was quick to add that, a number of interventions being rolled out would enable the country to overcome the current challenges.
President Akufo-Addo, therefore, expressed the need to use Ghanaian solutions to Ghanaian problems.
He noted that, the government’s intervention in the agriculture sector had resulted in the country becoming net exporter of food crops.
He also said, under his administration, Ghana has more cocoa than any other period in the nation’s history.
He mentioned the introduction of the One-District-One-Factory (1D1F) initiative as one intervention by the government spearheading the nation’s industrilisation drive.
President Akufo-Addo further underscored the need for the country to broaden the tax net in order to ensure the mobilisation of the needed revenue for national transformation.
He stated that the hosting of the anniversary in Cape Coast was very historic looking at the role the town and the Central Region in general had played in the history of the country.
FROM DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH, CAPE COAST