Koforidua, Jan. 19, GNA - Mr Joseph Amenowode, Chairman of the Conference of Regional Ministers, on Wednesday noted that despite the challenges confronting the Government, it was able to lay a solid foundatio= n for the economic take-off of the country.

"We have witnessed tremendous growth in various sectors of our econo= my, as recently stated in the preamble to the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government of Ghana for the year 2011," he said. Mr Amenowode who is also the Volta Regional Minister was opening a review meeting of the Conference of Regional Ministers in Koforidua. He urged his colleagues to be proud for being part of the success story, adding: 93We have indeed contributed our quota in the attainment of these landmark successes."

Mr Amenowode indicated that the Conference of Regional ministers as an integral part of Government machinery was well positioned to continue to offer its advice as well as play its role in the attainment of the objectives of President Mills.

"It is in this direction that it is important for us to hold this review meeting to critically take stock of developments, since the last conference and also look at emerging issues and the way forward in our resolve to achieve the Better Ghana Agenda."

Mr Amenowode reminded the regional ministers that the Government was half way through its four- year term of office and it was their responsibility together with party functionaries to intensify the dissemination of the achievements of the Executive to all corners of the country.

"This year being an Action Year, we have to effectively play our co-ordinating and monitoring roles so that we can achieve all our targets and promote development in our Regions."

On behalf of his colleagues, Mr Amenowode expressed gratitude to the Presidency and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the collaborating role they had played in ensuring that the Conference met regularly to deliberate on critical national issues and also offer the necessary recommendations for the attainment of set objectives.

"We shall continue to do our best to ensure that the objectives of the Medium Term Development framework of Government, which is the shared Growth Development Agenda are attained within the time frame."

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, out-going Eastern Regional Minister, noted tha= t the two-day review meeting would afford them the opportunity to deliberate on issues that would move the country forward.