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STATEOFTHENATIONADDRESS

OPPORTUNITIESFORALL

DELIVEREDBY

H.E.JOHNDRAMANIMAHAMA

PRESIDENTOFTHEREPUBLICOFGHANA

TOTHE

6thPARLIAMENTOFTHE4THREPUBLIC

THURSDAY,FEBRUARY21,2013


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Rt.Hon.SpeakerofParliamentVicePresidentKwesiBekoeAmissah-ArthurHerLadyshiptheChiefJusticeHonourableMembersofParliament

My presence here this morning is in fulfillment of Article 67 of Ghanas Constitution whichrequiresthePresidentoftheRepublicofGhanatodelivertoParliamentamessageontheStateoftheNationatthebeginningofeachsessionofParliament.Mr.Speaker,permitme,tostartbyextendingonbehalfofGhanaians,congratulationstoallourMembersofParliament.Inparticular,IwishtoacknowledgeournewestMembersofParliamentandextendtoallofthemawarmwelcomeofpartnershipinshapingthedestinyofourbelovedcountry.AstheelectedPresidentofthisdearcountry,Iwishtoexpressmypersonalgratitudetoall Ghanaians for the trust and confidence entrusted in me. I am fully conscious of theexpectationsofourpeopleandIpledgetoworkwithasenseofurgencyandremainsincereandtruthfulatalltimes.

AsIstatedonJanuary7whenItooktheoathofoffice,Ipromised,thataspresidentofthisnation,Iwillworkhardtoplaceusontherightpath,andIwillleadusoverthehurdlesandpast

theobstaclesthatmightthreatentokeepusfrommeetingourgoals.

Mr Speaker,Ghana is a different place now from what it was when we began the journeytowardsdemocraticgovernance.Wehavecomealongwaysince1993whenthefirstPresidentofthe4thRepublic,JerryJohnRawlings,deliveredthefirstStateoftheNationAddressunderthe4thRepublicanConstitution.GhanasdemocraticcredentialswerefurtherconsolidatedwiththeelectionofJohnAgyekumKufuorandlaterProfessorJohnEvansAttaMillsofblessedmemory.

Mr Speaker,our recentPresidential andParliamentaryelections have been adjudgedby bothdomesticandinternationalobserversasbyfarthemostcredible,transparent,freeandfairsince1992.Thisshowsthateachstepofourdemocraticjourneyhasbeenmarkedbyimprovements.As

Ghanaians,wemustbeproudofthisachievement.

MrSpeaker,theElectoralCommissionmusttakemuchofthecreditforthisfeat;sinceourreturntoconstitutionalrulein1992theEChasorganizedsixsuccessfulelections.Theyhaveconferredvictorywherevictorywasduewithoutfearorfavourinthecriticalperiodsof2000,2008and2012.OurElectoralCommissionhasearned,intheprocess,anenviablereputationasarguably

oneofthebestelectoralinstitutionsontheAfricancontinent.

Mr.Speaker,Ienteredpublicserviceoutofagenuinedesiretohelpmakeadifferenceinthelivesofourpeople.Myvisionforthiscountryistocreateaconducivenationalenvironmentinwhichourchildrengrowhappilyintoresponsibleadults;whereworkersareproudtoworkanddefendournationalvalues;whereimprovedmaternalhealthreducesthehazardsofchildbearing;whereteachersusetheir influence topositivelymould thenext generation;a Ghana inwhichwe allcreateandshareinthebenefits.MrSpeaker,Ibelievethatasacountrywecanachievemorebyworkingtogether.Togethernesswillenhanceourcapacitytomeetoururgentneeds;whilepromotingexcellenceandrewardingachievement.Ghanahaswitnessedimpressivedevelopmentinthelasttwodecades.Therehavebeen improvements in roads and social infrastructure across the length and breadth of this

country. Health facilitieshave been expanded andaccess improved, and so have educational


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institutionswiththeprivatesectorplayingapivotalrole.Inmanyrespects,Ghanahaswitnessedmanypositivechangesforwhichwemustallbeproud.Realchallengeshoweverremainevenaswehavemadetheseadvances.Asadevelopingmiddle-income country, there is still a lot more to be done to further reduce poverty, expand

infrastructureandprovidemoresocialservicesforourpeople.Thesechallengesareformidable,buttheyareinsurmountable.Mr.Speaker,thisadministrationwillpursuerapideconomicdevelopmentwithasenseofurgencyinordertocreatenewjobsparticularlyforouryouth.Inpartnershipwiththeprivatesector,wewillexpandourinfrastructureinamannerthatwillaccelerateeconomicgrowth.Wewill embark onanambitious but realistic programme of buildingnew roadsand bridges;expandelectricitygenerationtoenergizeoureconomy;increaseaccesstogooddrinkingwaterandqualityhealthcareforourgrowingpopulation;andimprove sanitationandhuman securityforall.Weaimtotransformourschools,collegesanduniversitiestomeetthedemandsofanew

agewithemphasisontechnologyandinnovation.Mr.Speaker,awell-designedandefficientpublicsectorworkinginpartnershipwiththeprivatesectorwillbeinstrumentalinourobjectivetodeliveraprosperousnation.Over the next four years, we will build an economy that rewards hard work and nurturesGhanaianentrepreneursandbusinesseswhoseprospectswillnotbetiedtopoliticalcyclesandpatronage.AsPresident,Iamfirmlyfocusedonthesegoals,becausethesearetherightthingstodo.Mr.Speaker, In my first term asPresident, Iwill focusondelivering on the following,whichconstitutethevitalpillarsunderpinningournationaldevelopmentprogramme.

1.PuttingthePeopleFirst2. AStrongandResilientEconomy

3. ExpandingInfrastructure4. TransparentandAccountableGovernance

PILLARONE:PUTTINGPEOPLEFIRST

Mr.Speaker,asaSocialDemocraticParty,weputpeoplefirst.Webelievethatourpeopleareourmosttreasuredassetandthisiswhatinformsoursocialdevelopmentagenda.Thethrustofoursocialpolicyandhumandevelopmentprogrammerevolvesaroundeducation,healthcare,socialsecurity and protection for the vulnerable women, children, the aged and people withdisabilities.Wewillfocusonandemphasizetheproductiveandreproductivecapabilitiesofthese

socialgroupings,while ensuring at the sametime that themost vulnerable inoursocietyareeffectivelyprotected. Mr.Speaker,ourpeopleneeddecentandsustainablejobstoleadmeaningfullives.Jobcreationandgainfulemploymentthereforewillbeatthecoreofmypriorities.Iamdeterminedtoexpandopportunities forall.Ourpolicies andinitiativeswill begeared towardsfacilitating sustainableemploymentgeneration,whichwillthenfacilitateeconomicgrowthandenhancedincomes.I have directed the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to work with the GhanaStatistical Service to produce quarterly labour surveys to inform policy and planning. ThesesurveyswillcreateanaccuratedatabaseoftheunemployedamongallcategoriesofGhanaian

society and track these ona quarterly basis. It will also ensure that new jobs are accurately


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recorded and tracked while making it possible to coordinate the various job-creation andemploymentinitiatives.

QUALITYEDUCATION

Mr.Speaker,ourquesttobuildanequitablesocietyinwhichtheproductivecapacitiesofour

peoplearetappedfornationaldevelopmentwillcometonaughtifwedonotgiveourchildrensound,meaningfulandrelevanteducation.Thisis evenmoreimperative intodaysknowledge-basedeconomy.Anynationwhosepeopledonothavetherequiredlevelofeducationwillbeleftbehind.Towardsthisendwewill:

Prioritizeandexpandaccessatalllevels; Aggressivelyaddressqualityenhancementandoutcomesatalllevelsbyputtinginplace

measures to monitor quality of educational service delivery especially teaching andlearningatalllevelsofoureducationalsystem;

Rewardoutstandingeducationalserviceproviderstoboostmoraleinthesector;and Worktoimprovegenderparityineducation. Encouragecommunityparticipationinmanagementofschools Worktowardsstandardizationandaffordabilityinfees.

Mr.Speaker,Iextendahandofpartnershiptooursocialpartners-thereligiousbodieswithlong-standing roles in the provision of educational services and private sector operators ofeducationalservices-toengageinthisnationalreconstructionexerciseforexpandingaccessandimprovingqualityofeducationinGhana.Mr.Speaker,withspecificreferencetobasiceducation,wewillensurethateverychildgetsaheadstart byworking toeffectively andpractically integrate kindergarteneducation into theexisting system. To this end, District Assemblies will be required to incrementally build newstructuresin allexistingpublicschoolstoservetheneedsofkindergarteneducation.We shall

expandtrainingofkindergartenteacherstoensurethatourchildrenalloverthecountryacquirebasicnumeracyandliteracyskillsbeforetheystartprimaryeducation.Itisalsotheobjectiveofthisgovernment,toeliminatetheremainingschoolsundertreesbytheendof 2016.We intend toenforcecompulsory basic school attendance anddeepenpro-poorinterventions like the distribution of free school uniforms, free exercise books and freecomputers. The school-feeding programmewill be progressively expanded to all public basicschoolsinruralcommunitiestosatisfythebasicnutritionalneedsofthepupils.Mr.Speaker,wearecommittedtotacklingthegreatestchallengesfacingeducationatthesecondarylevelinourcountry.ParamountamongtheseisalackofaccessoccasionedbyinadequatespaceandfacilitiesforthelargenumberofqualifiedJuniorHighSchoolgraduates.

Toaddressthelimitationsimposedonaccesstosecondaryeducationwewill,overthenextfouryears,constructatotaloftwohundrednewcommunitydaySeniorHighschools,givingprioritytoDistricts,whichcurrently lacksuchschools.Mr.Speaker,thislevelofaggressiveexpansionandimprovedaccesstosecondaryeducationalsomeanstheneedformorequalifiedandwell-motivatedteachers,aswellasadministrativestaff.Inthenextfewmonths,governmentwill:

Roll out a special sandwich teacher educational training programme targeted at ourunemployed graduates, in preparation for the full implementation of our access tosecondaryeducationprogramme.

Lead a process to modernise and increase the number of colleges of education withspecialemphasisondeprivedareasandcommunities.

Design and implement a distance education programme for teachers with tendecentralized satellite campuses across the country, taking full advantage of


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contemporary information and communication technology platforms that will allowelectronically-sharedaccesstoinstructionalandcurriculumresourcesbythesestudentsandstaffinthesecolleges.

In thearea ofSpecialEducation,governmentwill facilitate thecompletionofongoingconstruction of Assessment Centres and equip our special education units with thenecessary teaching and learning aids including devices for the hearing and visuallyimpaired.Indoingthisweintendtoemphasizeinclusiveeducationbyensuringthatourchildrenwithspecialneedsarefullyintegratedintooursocietythroughtheeducationalarrangements.Governmentwill provideincentives forspecial educators andensureour children-with-special-needsbenefitfromtheadvantagesofmoderntechnology.

Mr. Speaker, this year we will initiate a Bill for Parliamentary consideration towards theestablishment of a new University in the Eastern Region, committed to SustainableEnvironmentalDevelopmentandResearch.Inadditionwewillbegintheroadmapforconvertingourexisting10publicpolytechnicsintofullyfledgedtechnicaluniversities.HEALTHFORALL:

Mr.Speaker,therelevanceofimprovedhealthservicescannotbeoveremphasized.Itaugmentsinvestmentinallsectors.Asickpopulationcannotgeneratetheproductivityneededtomaintaintheaccelerationofoureconomy.Presently,ourhealthcaresystemstillhaspersonneldeficitsandservicedeficienciesdespitethefacilityexpansionandhumancapacitydevelopmentprogrammeswehavebeenimplementing.Inthenextfouryears,wewillworktowardsimprovingaccess,servicequality,increasedpersonnel,enhancedworkingconditionsacrossthevariousprofessionsinthehealthsector.Infurtheranceofourplanwewillundertakethefollowing:

1. Construction of an ultra-modern, new Teaching Hospital for the University of GhanaMedicalSchool.

2. StarttheprocessesfortheestablishmentofRegionalhospitalsintheEasternandUpperEastRegions.WewillcontinueworkontheRegionalhospitalprojectinWaintheUpperWestRegion.

3. UpgradetheCentralandVoltaregionalhospitals intoteachinghospitals toexpandthe

scopefortrainingmedicaldoctorsandotherhealthcarespecialists.

4. Commence work on 12 new District Hospitals at Dodowa, Abetifi, Fomena, Garu,Kumawu, Sekondi, Salaga, Tepa,Wenchi, Madina. The refurbishment of the TakoradiEuropeanhospitalwillcommenceinearnest.

5. CommenceworkonanewhospitalinKumasitodecongesttheKATH

6. Initiate work on phase one of the Specialist Emergency Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching

hospital.

7. Establishanadditional1,600CHIPScompoundsacrossthecountrybytheendof2016.Thiswillbeconsistentwithourrecordoverthelastfouryears.


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Mr.Speaker,in addition,wewill initiate the necessary processes towardstheconstruction ofPolyclinicsespeciallyintheDistrictsaswellasregionsthatcurrentlylacksuchhealthfacilities.Inembarkingonthisjourneyofexpandingaccess,wewillalsobegintoexplorenewmodalitiesofpublic-private-partnerships in Health investment, in a manner that brings new investment,expertiseandtechnologyintothehealthsector,providingcitizensavarietyofoptionsofwhere

theyaccesstheirhealthservices.Mr.Speaker,thereisanongoingreviewoftheoperationsoftheNHIS.Ourgoalistoensureamoreefficient,expandedandsustainable delivery.Wewillworkto reduce cost andeliminatefraud inthesystem.New improved claimsprocessingcentreswill be set up,and improved ITsystemsputinplacetoenhanceserviceandcreateabetterplatformformonitoringthescheme.Government has taken note of the last review workshop held and will present therecommendations especially in respect to sustainable financing of the scheme to cabinet forconsideration. We will pursue the implementation of the Mental Health Act in order tomainstreampsychiatrictreatmentandcareforourpopulationforourpopulation.

Mr.Speaker,withregardstothedeficitinhealthpersonnel,wewillconsolidatethegainsmadeinthetrainingofhealthcareprofessionalsthroughtheestablishmentoftheUniversityofAlliedandHealthSciencesby;

TransformingtheKintampoRuralHealthTraining Institute into aUniversityCollege tosupportthetrainingofPhysicianAssistantsforourambulanceandemergencyservicesaswell asthetrainingand deploymentofclinicalpsychologistsandenvironmentalHealthInspectors.

Scalingupthetrainingofmidwivesandnursesandalliedhealthworkerstofillthegapcreatedbyageinghealthprofessionals.

HIV/AIDS

Mr.Speaker,Ghana hasmade significant progress towardsachievingUniversal Access toHIVprevention,treatment,careandsupportservicesthroughtheimplementationofaNationalHIV&AIDSStrategicPlan.HIVprevalencehasstabilizedat1.5percentwithover25percentdeclineinnewinfectionsamongtheyouth.In2011,GovernmentcommittedGH150Milliontosupporttheimplementationof the new five (5) year strategic Plan. Thiswas in addition togovernmentssupport for prevention & treatment services. With this plan we intend to achieve virtualeliminationofmothertochildtransmissionandcuttherateofnewinfectionsbyhalf.Thisyear,ourNationalResponsetoHIVwillrequireGH180MilliontocontinuewitheffectiveimplementationoftheStrategicPlan.ThisfundingwillenabletheGhanaAIDSCommissionenrolover220,000PersonsLivingwithHIVontheNationalHealthInsuranceSchemeFreeofCharge.Some additional 15,000 will be initiated on Anti-Retroviral Therapy. Most importantly, over625,000expectantmotherswillbetestedforHIV.SOCIALPROTECTION

Mr. Speaker, as we forge ahead in social development and economic transformation, it isimportant to be mindful of segments of our society who, for reasons of social, cultural oreconomic circumstances become vulnerable and marginalized. It is for this reason we havecreatedthenewMinistryforGender,ChildrenandSocialProtection.TheMinistryistocoordinateand implement thenumerous Government social intervention programmesaimed at thepooranddisadvantagedinsociety.Letmesayagainforemphasis,thatthemandateofthisministryisnottopromotegayrightsassomesegmentsofsocietyhavesoughttoportray.Wehavealsotakenstockofalltheexistingsocialinterventionprogrammes,andrelocatedthemdirectlyundertheMinistryofGender,ChildrenandSocialProtection.Thiswillenableusdevelop


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amoreefficienttargetingmechanismandeliminateduplicationandmanipulationoftheexistingfragmentedprogrammes.ThenewMinistrywillhaveoversightoftheDisabilityCouncilandwilltakestepstointegratefullyour challenged brothers and sisters in the mainstream of national life. We have shown a

commitmenttothisbyappointingDr.DanaasaMinisterofState.IhaveaskedtheSecretarytotheCabinetandtheChiefofStafftotakenoteofanyspecialneedshemighthaveinordertoallowhimfullyfunctioninhisroleasMinister.TheMinistrywillestablishadatabaseofthepooresthouseholdsorindividualsinoursocietyandfashionprogrammestoenhancetheiraccesstosocialservices.ThisMinistryisattheheartofourbeing as social democrats. The fruits of economic growth shall be equitably shared for thebenefitofourpopulation.Wecannotadvanceasanation,halfpoor,andhalfrich.OurMinisterassignedtoGCSPisexperiencedandcapableandIamsurethatmanywillsoonseetheresultsofherexpertiseinthatsector.

YOUTHANDSPORTSDEVELOPMENTMr.Speaker,letmenowturnmyattentiontoanareathathasoftenproventobeoneofthegreatestunifiersofourpeople,sports.Afewweeksagowehadtoendurethepainfulexperienceofmissingoutonourmuch-cherisheddreamofwinningafifthAfricanCupofNationstitle. OurBlack Starsexited thejust endedAFCON competitionat thesemi-finalstage through thelotteryofpenalty.Irecallhowbarelyayearago,ourbelovedlatePresidentMillsstandingbeforethisaugusthouseinhislastsessionaladdress,urgedourfootballauthoritiestotakeseriouslytheissue ofpenaltytakingby our teamsas it has oftenbeen our nemesis inmajorcompetitions.What many appreciated as a humorous comment turned out to be prophetic as the sameproblemcametohauntusatthejustendedAFCONcompetition.

Mr.Speaker,IhopethatupontheirreturnfromSouthAfrica,thehandlersofourNationalTeamhavebegunundertakingthenecessarypostmorteminordertoensureourqualificationfortheWorldCupinBrazilnextyear.IrequesttheFAandthemanagementof theStarstogobacktothedrawingboardimmediatelyandcommencethebuildingofamoreformidableteamthatwillnotonly qualify fortheWorld cupbutwill surpassthe achievements of their predecessors inpreviousWorldCups.AnothermajortournamentweneedtoprepareforistheOlympicgamesin2016.Mr.Speaker,wearemindfulof thefactthatpoorplanningandalackofadequatepreparationcanderailoureffortstoqualifyforandparticipateeffectivelyin theseandothercompetitions.

WewillrolloutanumberofpoliciestounearthanddevelopsportingtalentstofeedourvariousNationalteams.Thesewillinclude:

Provisionof incentivesforMMDAs toestablishat leastonewell-resourced sportsandathleticinfrastructureindistricts.

Re-invigorationofthetraditionalinter-schoolandcollegessportscompetitionprograms ReservesomeadmissionstoSeniorHighSchoolsfortalentedsportsandothercreative

studentsamongotherinterventions

CompletionsoftheCapeCoastStadiumaspromisedbyourlatePresidentJohnEvansAttaMills

Restructuring and re-orientation of the National Sports Authority to enhance itsefficiencyandeffectivenessinthedischargeofitsmandate

Developmentofthelesserknownsportingdisciplinesamongothers.


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Mr.Speaker,IstatedinmyaddresstotheUNGeneralAssemblylastyearthattheyoutharetodaysleadersandnotfutureleaders.Inordertoenableouryouthrealisetheirfullpotentialandcontribute to National development, we have fashioned out comprehensive programmesincludingbutnotlimitedto:

AGH10millionYouthJobsandEnterpriseDevelopmentFundwhichwillbelaunchedtoencourage andsupportyoung people tobecome successful entrepreneurs and createsustainablejobopportunities

JobandEnterpriseCentres(JEC)willbeestablishedinallregionstohelpunemployedyouthandthoseabouttoenterorpreparefortheworldofwork.

Develop Youth Centres in Districts to facilitate youth meetings, interactions, culturalprograms,conferencesandinputsintoDistrictAssembliesdeliberativemechanisms

Continue with the National Youth Achievers Awards, which I introduced last year toinstituteandencourageYoungAchievers.

Revamp all the Youth Leadership Training Institutes and utilize them for year roundtrainingofyouthinleadership,civics,patriotismandothernationbuildingcurricula

SADA&WESTERNCORRIDORMr.Speaker,theSavannahAcceleratedDevelopmentAuthority(SADA)hasagricultureasakeypartofitsagenda.InthespiritofPublic-PrivatePartnership,SADAhasfacilitatedpartnershipstoestablish three agroprocessing factories-a sheanutprocessingfactoryatBuipe, a ricemill atNyankpala near Tamale and a vegetable oil mill at Tamale. The Produce Buying Company iscurrentlyraisingthecapitaltobeginsheanutpurchasestofeedthefactory.Mr.Speaker, thiswill benefit tensofthousandsof poorwomenin the savannah zoneofthiscountry.Outgrowersarebeingregisteredtomeetthe requirementsofthesefactories.In2011,SADAsupported6,000farmingfamiliesLastyearSADAregisteredandsupportedanother16,000farmersthisyearwithfarminputs,includingfertilizers,improvedseedsandtractorservicesfor

land preparation services. SADA through its greening theNorthern Savannah ecological zoneagenda,haspartneredwithaprivatesectorgrouptogrowandnurture5milliontreesinthenext12months.Thisisproviding5000jobsacrosstheNorth.Mr.Speaker,basedontheexampleofSADA,IdirectedateaminmyofficeandtheNDPCtoworkclosely with the two Regional Coordinating Councils and relevant stakeholders towardsestablishing the Western Corridor Development Authority, comprising Western and Centralregions.TheimplementationframeworkfortheAuthorityiscurrentlyunderdevelopment.

Mr.Speaker,theSocialagendaoutlinedaboveinformsoureconomicpolicywhichIwouldliketotouchuponatthisjuncture.

PILLARTWO-ASTRONGANDRESILIENTECONOMY

Mr.Speaker,theeconomyofGhanahasoveraperiodofmorethantwodecadesconsistentlywitnessedapositivegrowthrate.Thisback-to-backgrowthregisteredfrom1986culminatedintheattainmentoflowermiddle-incomestatusintheyear2010.Thispositiveperformancewastakentoawholenewlevelintheyear2011whenourcountryregisteredwhatisbelievedtobeprobablythehighestgrowthrateintheworld-awhopping14.4percentgrowthinGDP.Sincethenour country has maintained its ranking among the 10 fastest growing economies in theworld.Myvisioninthisfirsttermofmypresidencyistoworktosustaineconomicgrowthratesataminimum of eight percent in linewith our goal of moving our country from a lowermiddle-incomestatustothefullmiddle-incomebracket.Thiswemustdoaswestrivetoachieveoursetsocialobjectives.


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Intheareaofmacro-economicstability,wehavemadesignificantprogress.Inflationthatforsolonghadbeenindoubledigits,hasforthefirsttimeinourhistoryremainedwithinsingledigitforover thirty longmonths. Apart fromthefirst half of2012, when thecedi experienced seriouspressures resulting from a hugebalanceof trade deficit, thecurrency hascontinued toenjoy

relativestability.This relativestabilityhasbeenboostedby therelativelystrongforeignreservesof thecountrythat have increased significantly from about $2billionat thebeginning of 2009 to thecurrent$5.5billion. The banking sector that in 2009 experienced relatively high non-performing loanratioshasseenamarkedimprovementinitsNPL ratioandhasseenincreasedprofitabilityandassetsgrowth.Mr.Speaker, thesemacro-economic improvementsand thesustained strongeconomicgrowthrateswehaverecorded,havemadeGhanaaveryattractivedestinationforportfolioandforeigndirectinvestment-afactorwhichiscriticalinourquesttorapidlydiversifyandtransformour

economyandreduceourvulnerabilitytoexternalshocks.FISCALCHALLENGES

Mr.Speaker,thechallengefacingusnowisamisalignmentoftheexpenditurecategoriesintheBudgetnamely,emoluments(i.e.,wages,salariesandallowances),goodsandservices(includingdebtservice),andinvestmentorcapitalexpenditure.Thisisattributabletothefollowingcriticalfactors. It is important to appreciate the fact that the personnel emoluments portionof theBudgethasmorethantripledinthelastthreeyears,fromGH2.5billiontoaboutGH8billionthisyear.ThishasbeenmainlyduetotheSingleSpineSalaryScheme(SSSS).Wenowspendastaggering60.9percentofourentirenationalrevenuetopaypublicsectorsalaries.

Mr. Speaker, this is almost double the globally accepted prudent level of between 30 to 35percent.WhileweremaincommittedtoboostingthemoraleofpublicsectorworkersofGhana,whoseincomeswerelowcomparedtotheircounterpartsintheprivatesector.Itisinthatspiritthatweundertookthesalaryrationalizationwithaviewtoenhancingfairness,productivityandmotivationinthepublicsector.Wenowfacethechallengeofensuringthattheeffectofthepublicsectorpayreformdoesnotconstituteanunsustainableburdenonpublicfinancesandonmacro-economicstability.Mr.Speaker,therateofgrowthofthewagebillhasreachedapointwheretheyaresqueezingout critical investments in the budgetary allocation of goods and services and capitalexpenditures.Unlesswetacklethisissuedecisively,wemaysoonreachapointwherenotmuch

will be left to provide the much-needed roads, bridges, ports, schools, clinics and waterinfrastructureweneedtodevelopoureconomy.This issueisevenmoresignificantbecauseaswestruggletosettlethewagebill, thousandsofpublicworkerscontinuetomakedemandsforwageincreasesandthreatenworkstoppageifwedonotmeetthesedemands.Mr.Speaker,themeatisnowdowntothebones,anditistimeforseriousrethinkingaboutthelevelofwagesinrelationtoournationalcompetivenessandtherelatedproductivityissues.Itissaidtowhommuchisgiven,muchisexpected.ThepeopleofGhanademandbetterservicefromourpublicsectoremployeescommensuratetotheinvestmentmadeintheirremuneration.


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Mr.Speaker,anotherfactorthatledtothelargedeficitwasthesignificantshortfallsincorporateincometaxesfromthepetroleumsectorbecauseoflowvolumesofcrudeoilexports.Inaddition,therewereexpenditureoverrunsarisingfromborrowingtopayofflargearrearsandmajorcapitalprojects,notablytheroadsprojectsthatwenowcategorizeasthegangoffourlateradjustedtosix.Happilymanyoftheseroadsareinadvancestageofcompletion.

CORRECTIVEMEASURES

Mr.Speaker,wearetakingthedifficultbutnecessarymeasurestoaddresstheseriousproblemsofmisalignment.TheNationalPetroleumAuthorityrecentlyannouncedadjustmentsinthepricesof petroleum products to realign the distortions in the pricing ofpetroleum products. ThesedistortionshadresultedinasituationwhereGovernmenthadtoshelloutaboutGHC150milliontotheBulkDistributionCompanies(BDCs)tocompensatethemforlossessustainedinthesupplyof petroleum products. The net effect was also that because of the wide disparity in pricebetween us and our neighbours, many unscrupulous people found a new occupation insmugglingtheproductsacrossourbordersforsale.

Our primary concern for the poor and vulnerable has necessitated a widening ofmitigationmeasures, suchastheintroductionof solarlanterns,expansionoflife-linethresholdonenergyfor poor households and deepening social protection initiatives tocover awidernet ofpoorhouseholdstocushionthemfromtheeffectsofthesepriceincreases.OntheotherhandweareintroducingmeasurestocurtailGovernmentsexpenditureonfuel.Wewouldrationalizetheuseofgovernmentvehiclesandfuelinthenextfewweeks.IhavegiventheChief of Staff appropriate directives on this matter. We will discuss with auto companies aschemetoenableSeniorPublicservantstobuyonhirepurchasetheirownvehiclesandcurtailtherelianceontheuseofStatevehicles.

Mr.Speaker,wearealsotakingstrictmeasurestocurtailMDAsspendingbeyondtheirbudgetaryallocations and new mechanisms of strict monitoring will be announced by the Minister ofFinanceinthe2013budget.TheGhanaRevenueAuthorityandotheragencieshavebeentaskedtohelpraisetaxandnon-taxrevenuestolevelsthatbenefitouremergingLowerMiddle-IncomeCountrystatus.WewillplugtheleakagesandraiseGhanasratioofrevenuetoGDPfromthecurrentmeager16%toabove20%.ComparativelevelswithotherlowermiddleincomecountriesareKenya24%andSenegal22%.Mr. Speaker, while we take these difficult measures, our engagement with Development

Partners(DPs)throughtheConsultativeGroup(CG)processhasfocusedonhowtomanagethetransitiontoanuppermiddle-incomestatusinanorderlymannertobalancetheneedforgrowthwith our obligations of reducing poverty and significantly meeting targets set inMillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs).

THEPRIVATESECTOR

Mr. Speaker, partnership with the private sector has brought about accelerated growth anddevelopmentoftheeconomy.Ghanaimprovedfromthe92ndpositionin2009tothe63rdin2012ontheWorldBanksEaseofDoingBusinessIndex.ThisprogresshastobeimprovedduringthetransitiontoMiddle-Incomestatusandweareinthe

processoftransformingtheGhanaInvestmentPromotionCentre(GIPC)tomeetthechallengesofthe21stCenturyInvestor.


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Mr. Speaker, the government has takena decisive step to locate private sector coordinationunder the Office of the President, and designated a Minister of State in the Presidency tocoordinate and supervise Private-sector initiatives. In this effort, government will play a

facilitativeroleforprivatesectordevelopment.I have already inaugurated the Private Sector Advisory Council under my chairmanship, anddecisivestepsareunderwaytodeepentheimplementationofthe PrivateSectorDevelopmentStrategy(PSDS)II,coveringallmajoraspectsofprivatesectordevelopment.WewilluseGovernmentssignificantprocurementpowertobenefittheGhanaianPrivateSector.Asapolicy,IamrequestingpublicofficialstogiveprioritytotheGhanaianprivatesectoringoodsandserviceswheretheyarecompetitiveinvalue,qualityanddelivery.

ACCELERATINGAGRICULTURALMODERNIZATIONFORJOB-CREATION

Mr.Speaker,allofouraccelerateddevelopmenteffortshavebeengearedtowardsgivingspecial

advantagetoacceleratedagriculturalandaquaculturedevelopmentthroughModernization.

Theprocessofmodernization,involvingtheuseofimprovedseedvarieties,greateraccesstotractorservicesandtrainingofpeasantandsmallholderfarmersonproductivityenhancements,hasresultedindramaticincreasesinmaize,riceandcassavaproductioninthelastfouryears.

Thesewillbe expandedwithanadditional2,000tractors,improvedseedsupportandfertilizersubsidies,especiallyforthepoorestfarmers.

Totallandunder irrigationthroughoutthecountrywill besubstantially increasedasa resultofnewinitiativesontheAccraPlainsandtheSavannahzone,underanewWorldBankfacilityoncommercialagriculturedevelopment.ThiswillallowforallyearroundfarmingandwillenhanceGhanasfoodsecurity.HydroelectricpowerandirrigationdevelopmentwillreceivefurtherboostintheSissilli-KulpawnprojectandthePwaluguMulti-purposedamintheUpperEastregion.Thesetwoprojectsareexpectedtobringsome80,000hectaresoflandunderirrigationintheNorthernbelt.

Amorecoherentfocusonfisheriesandaquaculturedevelopmenthasbeeninitiated,withthedesignationof a new Ministry for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and the imminent

establishmentofacollegeofFisheriesplannedforAnomaboasadepartmentoftheUniversityofCapeCoast.

COCOAMr.speaker,ourfocusistoworktowardsachievingsustainableproductionofthehistoriconemilliontonnesofcocoa.Thekeymeasureswehaveidentifiedtoaccomplishthisarethecontinuedpaymentofatleast70%oftheworldmarketpriceofcocoatofarmers,thedistributionof20millionhybridcocoaseedlingsfreeofchargeoverthenextseveralyears.Additionallywewillalsopursuethecontinuedapplicationofthehi-techsystemtoincreaseyieldperhectare.Wearealsoreviewingthecurrentdistributionsystemofsubsidizedinputstoensurethatthesereachthefarmersdirectly.MANUFACTURING

Wewillmarshalthecollectiveeffortofallstakeholderstofacilitatetheemergenceandgrowthof


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astrongmanufacturingsector:-

1. By reviewing the tax structure to reduce taxes paid by Ghanaianmanufacturers to

increasetheircompetitivenessinthenationalandworldmarket.

2. Facilitate the establishment of an industrial development fund to provide a readyresourceenvelopeforailingandstrugglingmanufacturingindustriesinGhana.

3. Provide service plots within dedicated industrial zones to be developed in SekondiTakoradi,Tema,KumasiandTamaletosupportthelocalmanufacturingcompaniesto

addvaluetolocalproductsforastrongandviabledomesticmanufacturingsector.

Mr.Speaker,workisongoingona$1.2billionammonia-ureabasedfertilizerprocessingplantwithanannualcapacityofonemilliontonsinNyankromintheShamaDistrictoftheWesternRegion.This isan initiativebetweenthe Ghana and IndianGovernmentswith a potential forboosting

trade,jobscreation,andincreasedagriculturalproductivity.TOURISM,CULTUREANDCREATIVEARTS

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to using Tourism as an instrument for the fullrealizationoftheeconomicpotentialofourcultureandcreativearts.Inthisrespect :

Thenewly alignedMinistry ofTourism, CultureandtheCreativeArtswill facilitatetheinterfacebetweengovernment,implementingbodiesintourism,cultureandthecreativeindustriesaswellasinternationalandcivilsocietypartners.

The National Commission on Culture is being restructured as the governments leadimplementingandadvisorybodyonCultureandCreativeArts;andtheGhanaTourism

Authoritywillbesimilarlytransformed. Governmentwillallocatefundstothesectorandmainstreamthecreativeartsindustryas

anintegralpartoftheGhanaianprivatesector.

PILLARTHREE:EXPANDINGINFRASTRUCTURE

Mr.Speaker,allGhanaians deserve to live in a countrywith improved infrastructure, which isinextricablylinkedtoenhancingthequalityoflife.Theviabilityofprivatesector investments hingesona robustand functional infrastructureofroads, rail,sufficientandefficientenergy,stablewatersupplyandaseamless communicationsandICTinfrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, government will use information technology to support infrastructuredevelopment,urbanrenewal,landusemanagementandenvironmentalprotection.Mr.Speaker,GhanawaslistedbytheInternationalTelecommunicationUnion(ITU)asoneofthetoptenmost dynamicperforming countries in ICT-for-developmentin 2011. Indeed,telephonesubscription inGhanareachedcloseto26millionasofDecember2012,representingmorethandoublethenumberasofDecember2008.Government will continue with the positive outlook and promote the rapid development ofbroadband infrastructure to reach all parts of the country to ensure that the improved

connectivity provides better access to health care and health information, opportunities for


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educationandtraining,transportation,protectionof environmentandmanagementofnaturalresources,andtosupportE-govttocreatetransparencyingovernment.Inpursuitofthis,theworkontheEasternCorridorRuralFibreOpticbackbonenetworkprojectwillbeacceleratedtoadd584kilometresofopticfibrestretchingfromHotoBawkuandlinking

70townsenroutetoimprovethequalityofcommunicationsservices.With the ICT sector expandingatsuch a rapidrate, attentionwillbefocusedonmeasurestoprotecttheprivacyoftheindividualandpersonaldata.Wewillalsodevelopstrategiestocounterthe growing threats of cyber attacks and other online security concerns and acceleratepreparations towardsmigration fromAnalogue to Digital Television Transmission. TheBetterGhanaICTProjectwillbegivenamajorboostthisyear.WeshallcommencethedistributionofFourHundredThousand(400,000)laptopcomputerstoschoolsandstudents.

ROADS

Ihaveclearplansfortheroadsandtransportsector,whichwewillstartimplementingthisyear.These include the introduction of public-private partnership models on commercially viableroutesalongtheWestern,EasternandCentralCorridorroads.Work is soon commencing on theNorthern segmentof theEasternCorridor road, stretchingfromOtiDamankotoNakpanduri.

This yearwe expect to bring to a significant point of completion many of the ongoing roadprojectsincludingtheKpando-Worawora-Dambai,Asankragwa-Enchi,Navrongo-TumuandtheAchimota-Ofankor,Madina-Pantang,Nsawam-Suhum-Apedwa,La-Teshie,Dansomanandthe

Apaaso-Kintamporoads.

Others are the Sefwi Bekwai- Eshiem- Asankragwa, Bomfa Junction- Asiwa- Bekwai, Tetteh

Quarshie-MadinaandtheBerekum-Samparoads.

Wewillembarkonaregionalroadsimprovementprogrammethatwillseesignificantupgradesincritical roadinfrastructure inthemajoragricultural regionsandhereImakespecialmentionoftheWesternRegion.

Our trunk roads development programmes are also progressing steadily across the country.COCOBOD is funding the reshaping, spot improvements and upgrading of gravel roads to

bituminoussurfacesincocoa,coffeeandsheanutproducingareas.

Inthecourseofthisyear,andunderthepolicyonpublicprivatepartnerships,feasibilitystudieswillcommenceonthedualizationoftheAccra-CapeCoast-Takoradiroad,andtherehabilitationandexpansionoftheAccra-Temamotorway.NewinterchangesarealsoplannedfortheTema

endofthemotorwayandtheKasoa-Bawjiaseintersection.

WorkwillcommencethisyeartooonanewinterchangeattheKwameNkrumahCircle.ItisalsomyhopethattheprojectforthePPPinrespectofthemulti-carriageAccra-KumasiHighwaywill

beapprovedbyParliamentforworktocommencethisyear.

RAILWAY


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Mr.Speaker, theGovernments plan to revamp andmodernize therailwaysector isongoing.TherehasbeentremendousworkinthissectorandIrecallmymeetingwiththerailwayworkersattheBottomTreeinSekondi.Icanconfidentlysaytothemtoday,thataswecontinuewithourrailwaysectordevelopmentprogrammetherewillbesignificantsignsofimprovementwithinthe

nextthreeyears.

Governmentbelievestheprivatesectorhasaroletoplay intheon-goingmodernizationoftherail sector, an example being the rehabilitation of the Accra-Tema, Kumasi-Ejisu, the Accra-NsawamandTakoradi-Kojokromrailnetworks.Mr.Speaker, astheysayinOseikrom,theKumasiairportisnowbusierthanKejetialorrypark.Thatdescriptionisareflectionofthebriskbusinessatourairports.AvailabledatashowsthatpassengertrafficthroughourInternationalAirporthasmorethanquadrupledinthelast3years.Domesticpassengertrafficontheotherhandhasincreasedten-fold.This remarkable progress is putting immense strain on our airport infrastructure, which we

continue to expand. As a matter of priority Government has commissioned the immediateexploration of plans for the construction of a new international airport in Accra, andcomplementaryexpansion of theairports inKumasi,Tamale,SunyaniandTakoradi. FeasibilitystudiesfortheconstructionofAerodromesinHo,CapeCoast,Koforidua,Bolgatanga,wouldbeundertaken this year. We will commence a feasibility study on the establishment of a newnationalairlineincollaborationwiththeprivatesectorunderaPPParrangement.

Mr.Speaker,aswecontinuetoexpandtheinfrastructureattheTemaandTakoradiports,wearealso focusedon the constructionof a modern deep seaport in Takoradi. I have directed theMinisters of Transport and Finance to undertake an investigation of unauthorized fees andchargesatourairportandportswhichareputtingwhichareputtingunbearablehardshiponour

importers.HOUSINGANDURBANRENEWALMr.Speaker, one ofthe areasthat I ampassionate aboutis the concept of urban renewal. IbelievethatoneofthemostbasichumanrightswemustguaranteeeveryGhanaianistherighttoa safe, secure and accessible place of convenience. The pollution of our environment andespeciallyourbeachfrontsisdepressing.GovernmentwillinthenextthreeyearsworkwithallstakeholderstoensurethattheNationalHousingPolicydocumentisnotonlyfinalizedandapprovedbybothCabinetandParliament;butalso,workfeverishlytoensurethatrelevant legislationisputinplacetoprovidethenecessary

foundationaswellaslegalframeworkforimplementation.Government will this year initiate a pilot scheme to combine social housing with improvedsanitationandwatersupply.Thiswillparticularlyconcentrateonthedenseurbanslumswherethephenomenonofsafesanitationandwastedisposalareveryweak.Wewillbeworkingtoconsolidatethevariousstrategiesbeingimplementedtobridgethehugehousing deficit. These strategies, which are in themselves opportunities for public-privatepartnership arrangements, will include the construction of low cost units for lower incomegroups, ruraland social housing for the very poor and mortgage facilities for thosewho canafford.


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Mr.Speaker,Iamdeeplyconcernedabouthowthechallengesinthehousingsector,haveledtoexorbitantrentsthatdonotonlyviolateourrentlawbutalsosuffocatetheaverageGhanaian.Iwillworkhardtoaddressthischallenge.Mr.Speaker,watersupplyiscurrentlyprecariousinsomecommunitiesincludingsignificantparts

ofAccra.Thisisinspiteoftheseveraleffortswehavebeenmakingtoimprovethesupplyofgooddrinkingwater,especiallytoGhanaians.Itisworthnotinghoweverthattheseeffortsarebeginningtoyieldsomeresults.Thesituationhowever requires massive investment in new water delivery infrastructure and timelymaintenanceliketheongoingworksattheKpongheadworks.In themediumto longterm,wewill seek todevolve authority from centralized urbanwatermanagement systems to amoredecentralizedmanagementforefficiencyandcosteffectivedelivery.

Mr.Speaker,amulti-agencysanitationtaskforcewasset-uptocoordinateanation-wideclean-upexercisefromSeptembertoDecember2012.Thissanitationmanagementefforthashelpedto

addresspartofthewastedisposalproblem.

The Task Force experience is now being reviewed in order to engage all the stakeholders,includingtheDistrictAssemblies,inamoresustainedandconcertedefforttoridourcountryof

theunsightlyrubbishheapsthatarethreateningthehealthofourcommunities.

Mr.Speaker,myfocusisonwasteandsanitationmanagementsystemsnotjustwastecollectionand disposal. The emphasis will also beon waste recoveryand recycling aswell asprovidingincentivestoincreaseprivatesectorparticipationinthehygiene,sanitationandpollutioncontrolsector.ThestartoftheCONTIprojectinAccrafinancedbytheUSEXIMwillseesignificantimprovement

infloodcontrolandsolidandliquidwastemanagementinthecapitalcity.MINING

Mr. Speaker, our mining sector needs substantial reform to ensure that we move towardseconomicallyandsocially sustainablemining.TheMinistryofLandsandNaturalResourceshasbeen tasked toensure thatmining inGhana isundertaken responsiblyandmeets communityneedsandexpectations.Mr. Speaker,mining must create employment thatmatches its type, provides fair economicreturnstothecommunityandprotectstheenvironment.

AsIrecentlyannounced,GovernmentwillrigidlyenforcethelawsofGhanabyaddressingtheillegal invasion of foreigners in our small-scale mining sector. This problem has been fullyinvestigated and we have concluded that there is an unacceptable collusion between someGhanaiansandtheseforeignerstocircumventourlaws.Mr.Speaker,aseriesofdecisivemeasuresareunderwaytopurgethesystemandbetterregulatesmall-scalemining,inordertocreateandsustainemployment,forGhanaians,primarily.

ENERGYANDPETROLEUM

Mr. Speaker, millions of Ghanaians and businesses are today experiencing very erratic andfrustratingelectricitysupply.ItisasituationthatIamdeeplyconcernedabout,andtowhichI

have devoted considerable energy to solving. This is especially because compounding the


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problemofunstablepowersupplyisanequallyworryingissueofunreliablewatersupplytosomecommunities.Thecurrentdevelopmentsdonotreflecttheinvestmentsandprogresswehavebeenmakingintheareaofelectricitygeneration.Whatshouldbeoursuccessesandratheraugmentavailable

generation capacity has unfortunately been undermined by a number of unforeseendevelopments.We had made good progress in fixing the damage done to the West African Gas PipelineCompany(WAPCO)onlytoexperiencea drawback,whennearly600kilometresofthepipelinewasinundatedwithseawater.Mr. Speaker, in a frantic effort to pump the seawater out, two of our most experiencedengineerslosttheirlivestragicallyinanunderwaterexplosion.Permitmetousethisoccasiontosendmydeepestcondolencestothebereavedfamilies.

The repercussions of the incapacitated gas pipeline has brought near total darkness to ourneighboursinTogoandBenin,andledtothelossofover250MWofelectricitysupplytoGhana.Mr.Speaker,workontheWAGPIisnowplannedforcompletioninApril2013.AsPresidentIamadequatelyawareofthechallengesandtheextremediscomfortthatthisiscausingtothegeneralityofourpeopleandbusinesses.Thissituationcausesmesleeplessnights.WehavehadtoworkroundtheclocktobringmanyplantsintooperationearlierthanscheduledwhileweawaittherestorationoftheplantsaffectedbytheabsenceofgasfromtheWAPCO.Weareexpectingtheadditionofover500MWofinstalledgenerationcapacitythisyear.This

includes:132MWfromtheTakoradi3ThermalPlantbyendofFebruary130MWfromtheBuiHydroelectricPowerProjectbyendofAprilandincreasedto400MWby

endofSeptember

2MWfromaSolarParkatNavrongobyendofFebruary

WiththeadditionofTakoradi3thismonth,andthefirstpowerfromBuiinApril,ourcurrentdeficit of about 200 MW at peak, should be sufficiently ameliorated. While this will give uscomfortfromthecurrentunpleasantloadshedding,thesystemwillstillbefragilewithaslimmarginofredundancy.RestorationoftheWAGPIandAsoglicomingbackonstreamwillgiveusabettermarginofcomfort.

Work has also startedona 161 kVTumu-Han-Wa transmission line in theUpperWestRegion.OtherprojectsaretheKpando-KadjebiTransmissionProject,anew330KVtransmissionlinefromAboadzePrestea-Kumasi-Tamale-Bolgatangaamongothers.

Mr.Speaker,Governmentsoverallobjectivefortheenergysectoristoensurereliable,stableandprogressivelycheappowerforeconomicdevelopmentinthecountryandthewiderWest

Africanregion.

Ultimatelydevelopingandbringingonstreamourowngaspotentialwillguaranteeaffordablepower to support the acceleration in growth of our economy. Gas from our Western field

providesuswithenoughflexibilitiesandcost-efficientwaysofadditionalpowergeneration.Thisprojectwillreceivemypersonalattention.WorkisprogressingsteadilyontheGasInfrastructure


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ProjectatAtuabointheElemebelledistrictoftheWesternRegion.Whencompletedbytheendofthisyear,itwillputusontracktoachievetheplannedexpansionof5,000MWcapacityofpowergenerationby2016. Government will continue during the year, to support the utility companies to carry out

distribution system improvement projects and increase electricity access to all parts of thecountryundertheEnergyforAllprogrammetoensureuniversalaccessby2016.Mr. Speaker, weare progressing steadily in the area of renewable energy, by installing Solarsystems for remote Public Institutions and Community Lighting in off-grid communities. Inaddition, Government will implement pilot mini-grid electrification for lakeside and islandcommunities.Theprivatesectorhasshownconsiderableinterestininvestingintherenewableenergysector.Governmentwillensurethatthefeed-in-tariffispublishedtoencouragetheseprivateinvestors

Mr. Speaker, we will commence the distribution of over twenty thousand solar lanterns toreplace kerosene lanterns and reduce indoor air pollution in remote rural homes. Thisinterventionformspartofgovernmentseffortstoprotectthevulnerableinoursocietyandtoensurethattheyhavealternativeandaffordablesourcesofenergy.Mr.Speaker,theGNPCthroughjointventurescontinuetoexplorethehydrocarbonpotentialofoursedimentarybasins.Aspart ofmeasuresto promote local contentand participation inthepetroleum industry,anEnterprise Development Centre (EDC) with support from the Jubilee Partners will be fullyoperationalthisyear.

ThecentrewillbelocatedintheWesternRegiontofacilitatethetrainingofSmallandMediumEnterprises(SMEs)tobeproperlypositionedtotakeadvantageoftheoilandgasindustry.WewillproceedwithlocalcontentlegislationtoensureGhanaianparticipationinthisblessingofnatureGodhasbestowedonus.Wewillimplementlocalcontentinamannerthatisawin-winforGhanaandourforeignpartnersinGhanasgrowingoilandgasindustry.Mr.Speaker,thisyearwewillstartarestructuringofTORtorestoreittoitsformergloryasthemostefficientrefineryonthewestcoastofAfrica.WewillcarrythisoutwithstrategicpartnerswhoarewillingtoinvestinaPPPwiththeGovernmentofGhana.

TheBulkOilStorageCompany(BOST)willbereorganizedtoplayitsroleinstrategicstorageanddistributionofpetroleumproducts.Mr.Speaker,security for oil and gas continues to bea majorpriority.TheNavy,AirforceandArmyhavebeenretooledtoestablishasafeandsecurecorridorforouroilandgasinstallations.Wewill continue toprovidesecurity forboth onshoreandoffshore oilandgas infrastructureagainst disruptive threats and theft while putting in place anti-piracy infrastructure. ThecompletionoftheVesselTrackingandMonitoringSystembeinginstalledbytheGhanaMaritimeAuthoritywill allow us to use radar to identify unauthorizedvessels that enter our territorialwaters.


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Wewillplaceemphasisonintegratingcommunitygroupsintoprotectionarrangementstherebysupportingemploymentgrowthevenasweundertakeacomprehensiveassessmentofriskstoourmaritimeassetsincludingdownstreamandonshorefacilitiessuchaspipelines.

PILLARFOUR:TRANSPARENTANDACCOUNTABLEGOVERNANCE

Mr. Speaker,Ghana continues to exhibit strong leadership in democratic governance, whichmakes us the envy of many nations. As noted earlier, we have just come out of an historicelectionwhichwitnessedprogressivereformsincludingtheuseofabiometricvotersregisterandbiometric verificationforvotingwhichhasbeen acclaimedbybothdomesticand internationalobserversasfree,fairandtransparent.

GovernmentwillcontinuetosupporttheElectoralCommissionbyprovidingitwiththeneededresourcestocarryoutitsprogrammesandreforms.

Theindependenceofthejudiciarywouldbeupheldandwewouldworktoimproveconditionsof

workofthejudiciary.WewillworkwiththeJudicialCounciltocontinuetheprocessofprovidingnewandmoremoderncourtroomsandprovidetheinstrumentsandequipmenttofacilitatetheworkofthejudges.

Mr.Speaker,Governmentwillcontinuetopartnerwithcommunity-basedorganisationsandcivilsocietyespeciallyintheareasofpublicservicereformanddelivery.

In pursuing this objective, theGovernment ofGhana will developmechanisms forpromotingcitizen-basedmonitoring and evaluation of public policies andprograms,aswell as providing

feedback and suggestions on ways of improving the targeting of social and economicdevelopmentprogrammes.Civilsocietywillcontinuetohavelimitlessspacetoparticipateinourgovernancesystem.Itishealthyandallowsgrowthofdemocraticgovernance.

Mr. Speaker, We will guarantee freedom of worship as enshrined in our constitution andcontinuetopromotepeacefulcoexistenceofallreligionsinourcountry.Itisexpectedthattheumbrella religious organizationswill in turn implement self-regulation to curb theexcessesofsomeoftheirmemberswhogivetheclergyabadname.

Mr.Speaker,the role of traditional institutions,will bestrengthened topromoteaccountablegovernance. Working with the National House of Chiefs, the Ministry of Chieftaincy andTraditionalAffairs hasbeenre-aligned toprovidemorevigorousinterfacebetweenchieftaincyand tradition. We will progressively improve the allowances given to Paramount chiefs andQueenmotherstofacilitatetheexecutionoftheirtraditionalduties.

Mr. Speaker, a strong parliament is a strong democracy. Strengthening Parliament is also acrucial element in managing a successful transition to middle-income status. This includesensuringthatParliamenthasthecapacitytoplayitsoversightroleeffectively.

Mr.Speaker,theJob600project,whichwillensurethatMembersofParliamentcanoperatefromdescentoffices,isalmostcomplete.MPscanexpecttobefurnishedwithlaptopswithfull


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Internet connectivity to facilitate communication between their offices and constituents aspromisedintheNDCmanifesto.

Inmyfirstterm,wewillseektostrengthenParliamentby:

- Establishing the Democracy Fund proposed by the Constitution Review Commission(CRC) to provide sustainable funding for Parliament, Independent GovernanceInstitutionsandotherpro-democracygovernancebodies.

- Strengthening the Committees of Parliament by ensuring that the Chairpersons andRankingMembers of Parliament are accorded recognitionconsistentwith their statusandresponsibilitiesasrecommendedbytheCRC.

- CommenceafeasibilitystudyfortheconstructionofanewParliamentaryChamberblockonthepremisesofthestatehouse.

- WewillalsoexploreappropriatehousingforMPsinordertoguranteetheirsafetyandsecurity.

DECENTRALIZATIONANDLOCALGOVERNANCEMr. Speaker, effective decentralization in governance and decision-making starts with thePresidency.IhavethereforeinstructedtheCabinetofficetoensurethatCabinetmeetingsrotatebetweenAccraandtheRegionalcapitals.Bythis,millionsofourcitizensoutsideAccrawillhavetheopportunityeachmonthtowitnessandparticipateintheprocessofdecision-makingdirectly.Mr.Speaker,duringmyfirsttermasPresident,everyeffortwillbemadetoensurethatsomeofthe far-reaching proposals emanating from the CRCs report on decentralization such as theelectionofChiefExecutivesat the locallevelisgiventheneededimpetus.Wewillmainstreamthe concept of Local Economic Development (LED) to facilitate, develop and implementemployment creation programmes based on the natural resource endowments and thecomparativeadvantagesofeverydistrict. Wewillcontinuetostrengthenourdecentralizedlocalgovernancesystembyimplementingtheprogramme to establish the remaining seven decentralized Departments of the DistrictAssembliesandidentifyingnewDepartmentsfordecentralizationwhosecapacitiesareneededbytheDistrictAssembliessuchastheDepartmentsofWomenandofChildrenandtheStatisticalService.

Wewillalsocommenceaphasedprogrammefortheprovisionofadministrative,economicandsocial infrastructure for the 106 new districts created in2003,2007 and 2012 and extend thecompositebudgetsystemtocoverthe46newDistrictAssembliesestablishedin2012.THEMEDIA

Mr. Speaker, the BroadcastingBill has been on the drawing board for a long time.WemusthastentopasstheBillsothatnationalstandardsfortheelectronicmediacanbeestablished.ThenewlyestablishedMediaDevelopmentFundaimedatimprovingcapacitywithinthemediawillbeoperationalizedthisyear.


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WeshallalsosupporttheNationalMediaCommissiontoenacttheneededRegulationsthatwillestablish an organizational framework and standards to ensure balance, fairness, access,opportunityandobjectivityinthemedia.Access to the establishment of Community radio will be improved to allowmillions more to

benefitfromtheuniqueattributesofthismedium.CONSTITUTIONALAMENDMENTS,JUSTICEANDTHERULEOFLAW

Mr. Speaker, a major governance issue for the year will be the implementation of therecommendations of the Constitutional Review Commission. For this purpose, anImplementation Committee has been established to be responsible for all aspects of theprogramme leading to the enactment of constitutional amendments. Subsequent to theconstitutionalamendments,whichtheCRCImplementationCommitteeiscurrentlyworkingon,we will proceed to transform the Legal Aid Board into an independent constitutional body,implement the recommendation for CHRAJs decisions to bemade directly enforceable, and

introducetherecommendedweekendandsmallclaimscourts.

COMBATINGCORRUPTION

Mr. Speaker, weare proposing to revise the CriminalOffences Act to redefine corruption toincludethemoreexpansivedefinitioncoveredintheUNConventionAgainstCorruptionandtheAU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. We will give impetus to the fightagainst corruption by strengthening the anti-corruption agencies and sanctioning culpablepersonstoserveasadeterrenttoothers.TheworkoftheSoleCommissionerintojudgementdebtswillhelpusbringtoorderanunacceptablephenomenonthathasbecomeahugechargeonthepublicdebt.WewouldpushforcriticalreformsintheAGsdepartment.IwillimplementtheFreedomofInformationActassoonasitispassedbyParliament.

Ourcommitmenttothefightagainstcorruptionremainsunshakeable.Wewouldstreamlineandrootouttherotthathasbecomeassociatedwiththealienationofpubliclands.

FIGHTINGNARCOTICSTRAFFICKINGANDCONSUMPTIONMr.Speaker,IamfirmlycommittedinensuringthatGhanaisabsolutelyinsulatedfromtheillicitdrugtrade.Tothisend;wewillpursuetheprogrammeforthelegislativeconversionoftheNarcoticsControlBoard(NACOB)intoanautonomousCommission.Wewillalsocontinuetostrengthentheinter-agencycoordinationmechanisminvolvingNACOB,

theCustomsDivisionoftheGhanaRevenueAuthority,thePolice,BNI,theFoodandDrugsBoard,Aviation Security and the Immigration Serviceandensure increased international cooperationespeciallyforsurveillance.We shall maintain a zero tolerance for drug trafficking and I request all officials engaged intacklingthismenacetomaintainahighsenseofintegrityinordertowinthisbattle.

NATIONALSECURITY

Mr. Speaker, the security and safety of all citizens will be a priority. We have beenmakingmodest gains as crime statistics show that the incidence of crime is on the decline. Thisnotwithstanding,wewill continue to resource and adequately equip the security services to

ensurethatnoGhanaianfeelsunsafeintheirlawfulpursuits.


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Aworryingtrendinourcrimeindices isincreasingcasesofrapeanddefilement.Inmanycasesfamilies,religiousleaders,traditionalrulersandsometimespublicofficialsintervenetocoverupandresolvethesecasesathome.Iwishtoemphasisethatrapeanddefilementarecriminalandmustbehandledbythecriminaljusticesystem.Wemustbringtobookpaedophilesandrapistwhopreyonourwomenandrobthemoftheirdignity.IaminstructingtheIGP,DOVVSU,GCSPto

worktogethertoensurethatallofsuchcasesarebroughttojustice. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to provide critical support capable of augmenting thedevelopmental service mix of our armed forces while providing adequate security for ourcitizens.Thisstrategyinvolves:

1. Enhancing the healthand logisticalinfrastructure that enablesthe security agencies tolead rescue and support missions, step in when we have major disruptions in basicserviceswater,health, sanitation, floodsandnaturaldisastersandalsoperformtheirtraditional world-acclaimed peacekeeping and development role in post-conflictsituations.

2. Undertakea comprehensiveSecurityServicesHealthSector Initiativethatwill improve

basic, primary and referral health facilities within the security services and alsomakethosefacilitiesavailableforusebythegeneralpublic.InthisregardwewillbuildasecondmilitaryhospitalinKumasiandupgradethemedicalstationsinthevariousbarracks.

3. Address the critical officeand residentialaccommodationproblems facing themilitary

andthePolice,Prisons,FireandImmigrationServicesaswellasNADMO.

Mr. Speaker, in collaboration with the National Peace Council, the UNDP, The OtumfuorCommitteeandotherstakeholders,Iintendtobeginanewroundofbringingtoclosuresomeof

theprotractedchieftaincyconflictsinthenorth.Icallforthecooperationofallmycompatriotsintheseareastogivepeaceachance.Wecanonlysucceedinturningaroundthefortunesofthe3Northernregionsifwehaveanatmosphereofpeaceandsecurity.FOREIGNPOLICY

Mr.Speaker,Ghanasforeignpolicyofpositiveneutralitywillremainourfocuswithemphasisoneconomicdiplomacyhingedonournationalinterest.Ultimately,ourforeignpolicywilldelivergood neighbourliness, peace at home and abroad and economic wellbeing by strategicpartnerships.Mr.Speaker,ourcommitmenttopeaceandsecurityintheWestAfricanRegionisparamountin

ourforeignpolicyconsiderations.WehaverecentlyjoinedwithECOWASinseekingapermanentpeacefulresolutionoftheconflictinMali,bycontributingamodestdetachmentofourarmedforcestoparticipateintheAfrican-ledforceoperatinginMali,AFISMA.Astheactualarmedconflictisabating,Ghanastandsreadytouseourrichmediationexperience,toassistMalireturntostable,representativedemocracy,justaswehavedoneintimepastinhelpingbringpeacetoLiberia,SierraLeoneandCotedIvoire.Asacommitmenttopeaceandstabilityintheregion,IhavepledgedattheAfricaUnionandtheUnitedNations,thatGhanawillnotserveasa haventodestabilizeanyofourneighbors.Iwishonceagaintoassureanyrefugeesonourterritorythattheyarewelcomeguestsaslongasthey

donotuseGhanaasabasetodestabilizetheGovernmentsintheirhomecountries.


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Under my Presidency, Ghanaians and the international community can trust that Ghana willuphold all its commitments to the UN, the AU, the Commonwealth, ECOWAS and otherinternationalorganisationstowhichwebelong.Ghanawillcontinuetotakeallnecessarymeasures,incooperationwithrelevantinternational

agencies, to fight against international terrorism, money laundering, narcotics and humantrafficking.

Mr.Speaker,thefinancialframeworkwithinwhichtheprogramsandpoliciesdiscussesinthisaddresswill beexecutedwill beoutlinedwhen theMinister ofFinancein the comingweeks,presentstheBudgetandFinancialStatementofGovernmenttothishouse.

CONCLUSION

Mr.Speaker,fiftyyearsagoournationsfounderandthefirstPresidentoftheRepublicOsagyefo

Dr.KwameNkrumahurgedGhanaianstorememberthattheeyesoftheworldareuponusinwhateverwedo.Theseprofoundwordshaveasmuchmeaningtodayastheywerefivedecadesago.Itisachallengetoustoworktogethertobringhonourtoourcountryanditspeople.

I reaffirm my commitment to uniting Ghanaians as one people. We are a nation of diverseculturesandreligiousbeliefs;thereisatremendousamountofbeautyinourdiversity.Whilewecelebrateourdiversity,letusexplorewhatunitesusinsteadoffocusingonthethingsthatdivide

us.

Letusbuildtrust--rememberingalwaysthatcivility,humilityanddisciplinearesignsofastrongnational character.Real change iswheneveryonepulls together,workstogether,whenweall

exerciseourresponsibilitiestocountry,ourlocalcommunitiesandourfamilies.

LetmestatetothisaugustHouse

1. That I shall work to ensure that every household in this country will soon enjoyuninterruptedwaterandpowersupply;

2. Thatouryoungmindsdesirousofopportunitiesforbasicandsecondaryeducationshallhave the space in our schools and shall have quality, affordable education that willimprovetheircareerandlifeexpectations;

3. ThatourmothersshalllivelongerandhealthierastheyperformtheGod-givenfunctionofchild-birth;

4. Thatourinnercitiesshallwitnesssignificantrenewalinsanitationandhousing5. That the economic opportunities of this country will be open to all our citizensirrespectiveofgender,ethnicity,religionorpoliticalaffiliation.

6. ThatourgovernancesystemsshalldelivertheservicesandopportunitieswepromisetothecitizensofGhana;and

7. Thatourcitizenswillassumetheirrighttodemandaccountabilityfortheseservicesandrightsandthatourroadsinfrastructureisnotonlyexpandedbutalsomadesaferforour

people.

Mr.Speaker,wearedeterminedtodeliveronthedevelopmentgoals,whichIhaveoutlined.Wehaveobjectivestomeetandtheexpectationsofourpeopleto fulfill;ourpeopleexpecttosee

results,whetheritisinthedeliveryofwater,electricity,healthcareorsanitationservices.We


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mustnotoverlook the littlethingsthatmatter toourpeopleevenaswestressonresponsiblecitizenshipasanimportantfactorinnation-building.Political office holders includingMinisters of State,Metropolitan, Municipal andDistrict ChiefExecutives, CEOs of public institutions and middle and lowermanagement personnel will be

requiredtoexhibit ahigh senseofresponsibilityanddiligentlyexecutetheirmandatetomeettheneedsoftheordinaryGhanaian.Itmustnotbebusiness-as-usual.Mr.Speaker,wemaybeconfrontedwithmanychallengesasanationbutourcollectiveresolveisfargreaterthanthosechallenges.Mr. Speaker, as I said on that eventful day of my inauguration, change does not happenovernightandsometimes,despitewhateverprogresshasbeenplacedinmotion,itwillappeartobedarkestbeforethedawnofthenewdaymakesthatprogressvisible. InsuchtimesIwillbecountingonyoutomaintainthefaithandthetrustthatyouhaveplacedinmeasPresident.Iwill

notletyoudown.Ourmomentary difficulties must only serve in strengthening this collective resolve towards afutureoflimitlesspossibilities.Despairisnotanoptionandweshallnotmakeexcuses.IknowIleadanationofgreatpeoplewhohaveitwithinustoestablishthatfairandjustsocietyofopportunitiesforalltowhichIdedicatemyentireefforts.

Mr.Speaker,thefutureishere;thefutureisours;theyouth,womenandmen,andespeciallythe

childrenofourmotherland,Ghana,expectnoticeableimprovementintheirlives.

InallthisweacknowledgeourabundantfaithinGodandhisbountifulmerciesonournation.GodsdivinefavourisonGhana.Wehavenocausetofear.WithGodinourboatwesmileatthe

storm.

IknowwewillnotfailourcountryandIknowtheGoodLordwillnotfailuseither.

GodblessGhana.Thankyou.

mahama exposeghana.com

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