Kufuor to broadcast on challenges

Accra, May 21, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor will broadcast to the nation on Thursday as he engages the people in "an important speaking appointment" that focuses on additional fresh initiatives to strengthen the individual's capacity to confront challenges following the current global economic trends largely caused by the rising crude and food prices, the presidency confirmed on Wednesday.

The presidency in its Daily News Summary said President Kufuor in Thursday's radio and television broadcast was expected to repose trust in the several pro-growth initiatives linked to wealth creation, stress-free and comfortable lives.

"The broadcast will seek to renew emphasis on government interventions intended to respond in direct measure to the difficulties arising from increasing cost of basic food items threatening real progress in the local economy, households, business community and the general citizenry.

"Like the improving global response, with US and the UK at the forefront of remedial and restoration campaigns, the President having widely delved into the Ghana case, is set to highlight policy options to deliver the maximum effect of ameliorating worrying experiences from the domestic and world economies."

President Kufuor had tasked a sub-cabinet team to do the think-tanking or boardroom engineering on the subject and advice on the way forward.

"Crude oil prices, staggered at 56 dollars per barrel in 2006, peaked lately (120 dollars) and believed to have triggered reported riots in some countries and in the case of Ghana prudent economic management practices have proven to be an effective vanguard to the biting situation, especially having projected a near 80 dollars per barrel benchmark for the national budget this year."

The presidency said after the broadcast, where President Kufuor would share thoughts on "the game plan to contain the prevailing economic challenges", the deciding factor would be the entire citizenry embracing the president's vision with a common purpose to move the nation forward.

"Thus, the growing partnership between the governors and the governed would have to be deepened in order to build on the rising business confidence in the domestic economic and the increased economic prospects."