President Akufo-Addo has stated he will pursue a rigorous economic recovery programme aimed at restoring Ghana to its right of place as one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

Addressing a virtual celebration of Ghana’s 64th Independence Day anniversary at the forecourt of the Jubilee House, Akufo-Addo said when the global pandemic of COVID-19 struck, it derailed progress on all aspects of national life.

However, he noted his government has designed a comprehensive programme to rescue the economy.
“Lives and livelihoods have been affected, the economy has suffered and government has had to cushion households and businesses from the effects of the virus.

“Already, government has taken steps to revitalise and transform the economy, a process which is hunched on the one hundred billion Cedis Ghana CARES ‘Obaatanpa programme’, the lynchpin of our drive towards a rapid industrial transformation of our economy, our main national priority,” Akufo-Addo stated.
“The minister for finance will this month, God willing, provide to Parliament, further details on the measures to be taken to spur on the process of economic recovery,” the president added.

Akufo-Addo hopes that his government’s well-thought out plan will begin to yield positive results a year from now, and by the time the nation is celebrating its 65th Independence anniversary, there will be evidence of the impact.

“A year from now, the benefits of economic recovery will begin to show. A year from now, our quest to move Ghana to a situation beyond aid will be accelerated and our self-reliance enhanced. A year from today, we should regain our pride of place as one of the fastest growing economies not only in Africa, but also in the world.
“A year from now, we should be processing more and more of our raw materials to help create jobs for the millions of Ghanaian youth. A year from now, more and more Ghanaian children should be having access to education. A year from now, every district and region should have a hospital where residents will be able to have affordable health care. Fellow Ghanaians, this is not beyond us if we put our hearts and minds to it,” Akufo-Addo pointed out.

In attendance at the virtual celebration were vice-president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the chief justice, Justice Anin Yeboah, the chief of staff at the Office of the President, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, service chiefs and a select few of members of the Diplomatic community.