I'll reduce number of ministers - Mahama

Pelingu (UE), Feb 25, GNA- Dr Edward Nasigri Mahama, presidential candidate for the People's National Convention Party (PNC), said he would reduce the number of ministers and deputy ministries in government from 88 to 40 if elected President of Ghana in the 2008 Election. He said the expenditure on the ministers was too much and that could be re-channelled into developing sectors of the economy. Dr Mahama was speaking at a press Conference at Pelingu in the Upper East Region, to throw more light on the PNC manifesto and to seek the mandate of the people in the forthcoming election. He said "most of the ministers are redundant and their roles could be performed by few ministers."

Dr Mahama said he would focus on farmers, women and the youth, the engine of growth of the economy.

He said a PNC government would equip farmers with agriculture inputs and loans to enable them to undertake intensive farming to feed Ghanaians.

Dr Mahama said 'Operation Feed Yourself," that was practiced under General Acheampong's regime, would be re-introduced to increase food production and create jobs.

He said women, managers of families, would be assisted with packages including soft loans to enable them to go into viable economic ventures.

Dr Mahama said a PNC government would ensure that shea butter which was abundant in the northern part of the country was processed and exported.

He expressed worry that the country's roads were in bad shape making it difficult for many farmers to transport their produce to the urban centres and cited roads in Bandai, Kate krachi in the Volta region and parts of the Northern Regions, which produces much yam for the country.

Dr Mahama assured the people that a PNC government would repair bad roads and appealed to the electorate to vote for him in the 2008 Election to enable him to the development the country.