President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says his administration is determined to find the means to push through its development agenda for the country, to ensure it continues to provide the basic social requirements for all Ghanaians, especially with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing the chiefs and elders of the Dzodze Traditional Area when they paid a courtesy call on him, at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo said in spite of the setback he is facing in Parliament over the introduction of the electronic levy ( E-Levy ), the government will continue to persevere to find the means to address pertinent issues affecting the state.
“Government, in order to keep the country going (as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), had to incur additional expenses such as the free water, free electricity, and the provision of free food.
“These were unavoidable expenses that the government had to make. The fiscal impact was very considerable and these are the efforts we are now making, which is being resisted by the opposition, to try and close the gab,” President Akufo-Addo said.
President Akufo-Addo intimated that as a country, it has become necessary to “look within for our sustainability” and not depend on aid.
“It is not going to be possible for us in Ghana to continue forever to be dependent on foreign grants and foreign loans to keep our economy going. We ourselves would have to find the money for our development,” Akufo-Addo said.
“That is the reason why it has become necessary for us to introduce these measures like this famous tax [E-Levy] which has caused so much unnecessary, in my view, disputation,” the President added.
President Akufo-Addo noted that in spite of the challenges, his administration will continue to fight for the development of the nation.
“I am determined to persevere to make sure that we find the means to address our issues as a country,” Akufo-Addo said.
President Akufo-Addo assured the delegation that their earlier requests will be given all the attention it deserves by the relevant state institutions.
Togbui Dey III, Chief of Dzodze Traditional Area, led the delegation for the visit.
He disclosed that the Dzodze traditional authority were satisfied with govt’s efforts and continued to support govt initiatives, including the management of the covid19 crisis and the economy.
He made some developmental requests including the building of a market in the Dzodze Traditional Area, the expansion of the Dzodze water system, and rehabilitation of roads among others.
By: Isaac Clottey
