The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in this year’s State of the Nation Address revealed that the government is working hand in hand with ECOWAS to ensure the reopening of the Nigeria borders which have remained closed.

Nigeria closed its borders 5 months ago. Through joint security operations, such as KOUDANGOU and the ongoing Operation CONQUERED FIST, the government said it has reinforced the security of north-western, northern and north-eastern borders to guard against any infiltration into the country.

On the issue of instability and possible terrorist activity in the country, the president said the security is on high alert and will protect the sovereignty of the country.

Touching on inflation the president revealed that inflation within three years has reduced to its lowest level which is 7.8% in January 2020.  He added that for the first time in over forty (40) years, the country had a fiscal deficit below five percent (5%) of GDP for three years in a row.

The President again said for the first time in over twenty (20) years, the balance of trade that is the difference between exports and imports has been in surplus for three (3) consecutive years.

The president further sympathized with China for the outbreak of COVID-19 virus noting that he has written to President Xi Jinping to convey to the government and the people of China the solidarity and sympathy of the people of Ghana.

The President said through the Embassy, government is working with Chinese authorities to find the best way to deal with the situation.

On mining activities in the country, he said the battle launched was not against mining. Rather it was to fight against illegal mining that destroys the environment.

Briefing the country on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Accra, the president said the government has provided a permanent office building to host the Secretariat. He noted that the office of the Secretary-General in Addis Ababa two weeks ago will become operational by the end of next month.

President Akufo-Addo added that  the import of maize from other countries have reduced, adding that the country have also reduced its dependence on rice imports, and are now, in effect, net exporters of foodstuffs.

He said the country is currently working hard to ensure the country meets the United Nations recommended ratio of one extension officer to five hundred (1:500) farmers.

According to the President Commodities Exchange in Ghana, which is fully operational, is promoting high productivity, price stability, increased exports, and reduced imports of commodities. Trading operations, through an electronic trading platform, commenced in November 2018.

He added that eighty (80) warehouses, each of a size of one thousand metric tonnes, are being built around the country. Thirty-five (35) have been completed by the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, and thirteen (13) by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Touching on the fishing sector, the president announced that modernisation is finally coming to the fishing industry as well to help Ghana’s fishermen to take a leap into scientific and sustainable methods of fishing.

The President further said the Ghana Automotive Development Policy launched in   August last year, is due to start production by the end of April, noting that Toyota is scheduled to start the assembly of vehicles in Tema in the last quarter of this year.