
President Akufo-Addo addresses 2022 May Day
President Nana Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians to collaborate in efforts to support the country in realising its economic transformation, growth and independence to the fullest.
Collaborative efforts, according to him, will reduce the country’s dependence on foreign aid, and enable it bounce back from the current economic challenges.
While addressing the 65th Independence Day celebration, dubbed “Working Together: Bouncing Back Better”, in Cape Coast over the weekend, the President stated that the nation can bounce back to its feet and build the economy it wishes for all citizens.
He said the country’s growth demands a collective responsibility from the citizenry, adding that government cannot solely improve the economy if people do not play their respective roles.
“I know we are capable. I believe in the can-do spirit of the Ghanaian, the first people in sub-Saharan Africa to rid ourselves of the shackles of imperialism and colonialism. Ours is a bright future, and I am confident that our years in Mother Ghana will be great. We will find Ghanaian solutions to our Ghanaian problems,” he said.
“Let us work together and bounce back together. The battle is the Lord’s. I will not renege on my plans to help create a progressive and prosperous Ghana. I, however, cannot do this alone. I need the backing of each and every one of you if we are to bounce back together and build a Ghana Beyond Aid,” he added.
Considerable gains
Touching on the gains made so far, the President explained that, for instance, the Free Senior High School programme had increased access to education, while the Planting for Food and Jobs programme had also increased the country’s food exports. He added that the One District, One Factory policy had also enhanced production.
“We are processing more of our cocoa in Ghana than any other time in our history. The One District, One Factory initiative, which has seen the ongoing construction of 278 factories across the country and 106 completed, is part of the foundation on which we are building a comprehensive industrialisation programme inspired by the development of strategic anchor industries such as the emerging automotive industry and the coordinated exploitation of our bauxite and iron resources,” he pointed out.
President Akufo-Addo further stated that the government had opened up the country through the construction of roads and increased efforts at digitalisation to enhance transparency and efficiency in the public sector.
Protection, security
The President cautioned against acts that seek to undermine the country’s democracy.
He reiterated that the phenomenon of coup d’etats had not advanced the cause of the African continent and it must not be tolerated or entertained.
“Let us guard jealously the peace and stability we are enjoying. Unfortunately, there are some restless spirits amongst us who, seeking to exploit the current difficulties confronting the nation, claim to have lost confidence in our democratic system to affect a peaceful constitutional change in the governance of our state,” he said.
He said either the absence of faith in the prospect of a democratic alternative to the current government or their impatience to wield executive authority are the factors driving their appetite for the shortcut of military intervention.
“The great majority of us who are committed to democratic values and institutions will continue to resist the claims of these adventurers and deploy all legitimate means in our democracy to maintain our free, open system of governance, which has respect for human rights, the rule of law and the principles of democratic accountability,” President Akufo-Addo said.
He also stressed the preparedness of the government to build the capacity of the country’s security services to ensure the protection of the country’s territorial integrity.
“The government is determined to do everything within its power to guarantee the nation’s territorial integrity and ensure the safety of citizens,” he said.
He therefore encouraged all Ghanaians to cooperate with the security services in the discharge of their duties.