Kufuor says more hard decisions to come

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday said the government was not satisfied with the achievements made under the fiscal and economic policies, which it implemented during its first year in office and more difficult decisions would have to be taken next year.

He therefore urged Ghanaians to continue to be tolerant and stand firm behind the government. "We will never deceive Ghanaians; the decisions to be taken are for a good cause and purpose for the development of the economy and society," he said.

President Kufuor was addressing the first anniversary celebration and victory rally of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the James Town Park (Mantse Agbonaa) in Accra.

"The government has done so well on the economy, the cedi has stabilised, rate of inflation has gone down, the effects of the HIPC Initiative will be realised by the end of next February but the government is still not satisfied. We will have to take more difficult decisions next year", he said.

President Kufuor said the government had to take those difficult decisions because the economy was in a mess, so also were education, health and employment, law and order. It therefore had to prepare the foundation to be able to move the country forward.

He said political opponents would not credit the government with any success but neighbouring countries and the international community had appreciated efforts of the government.

On criticisms that he had travelled rather frequently outside the country, President Kufuor said most of them were invitations by the host countries. "We will go to the end of the world to get the needed resources to get Ghana back on course for development."

He said the country had a destiny and responsibility not only for itself but the West African Sub-region, Africa and the entire world because most African countries were looking up to Ghana to take the initiative for economic success. When this was achieved the results would be beneficial to all of them.

President Kufuor said the government wanted to chart a course that would unite the sub-region and with new people at the helm of affairs of ECOWAS, it would support and work with them to succeed.

Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the country had now achieved peace saying it began when the government assumed power and made peace with neighbouring countries to mobilise efforts to fight the common enemy, which is poverty. "We shall deliver with your support," he added.

Mr Haruna Esseku, National Chairman of the NPP, said government had put in place programmes to fulfil its campaign promises to the people and supporters and urged them not to be deceived because the government was on course.