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General News of Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Source: GNA

Overseas Community Must Support NPP to Rebuild

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has called on Ghanaians resident abroad to actively involve themselves in the political and economic transformation of the country.

He said their involvement in the reconstruction of the country would in no small measure also improve the quality of life of the people.

Nana Akufo-Addo said this when he interacted with the Ghanaian community in Amsterdam shortly after his arrival for the Global Forum for Combating Corruption conference in The Hague.

He made reference to the role of overseas residents in the development of cities like Shangai, China, and remarked that 80 per cent of investments in that city is being provided by such overseas residents.

The Attorney General said the government has put in place a programme that would encourage Ghanaians resident abroad to mobilise resources for the development of the country.

"You ( overseas community) carry a very important role in what is about to take place in Ghana and must, therefore, translate the abilities, ideas, money and skills that have been acquired to help in the rebuilding of the country," he said.

Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated the commitment of the government to remove all hindrances that undermine the efforts of Ghanaians living overseas to save in the country.

He added that the legal document on that issue has been outlined by the government to facilitate the transfer of money meant for savings into the country.

Commenting on the home coming summit slated for Accra from July 25 to 28, the Attorney General said the summit " symbolises the importance that the government attaches to the role of Ghanaians resident overseas in the rebuilding of the country."

He called on them to patronise the summit which, he claimed, is intended to pool ideas and opinions towards the transformation of the economy.

Nana Akufo-Addo said even though the government inherited a shattered economy, it has instituted prudent measures to reshape it and improve upon the living standards of the people.

" Notwithstanding the difficult situation that the NPP came to inherit, the government is working hard to stimulate investment, mobilise resources and reduce inflation," he said.