The Minister for Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adams, has said that the Akufo-Addo government since 2017 has added US$20 billion to Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in 2017, assumed office when the Gross Domestic Product was US$56 billion, but as at last year, 2023 the GDP was US$76 billion.
“By 2016, it came down from 64 billion dollars to 56 billion dollars. Last year, 2023, the GDP stood at 76 billion dollars. So, in nominal terms, President Akufo-Addo has added 20 billion US dollars to the economy. The size of our economy has grown by 20 billion US dollars.That is no small achievement,” he said.
The Minister for Finance made these comments on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Regional Townhall Metting, held in the Greater Accra Region, as the maiden edition.
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, took the stage next, providing an in-depth analysis of government’s economic interventions.
He said even in the wake of global economic crises, government is putting measures in place to rebound the Ghanaian economy.
“Despite the global economic challenges, our administration has managed to stabilize the local currency, reduce inflation, and achieve a trade surplus. We are projecting a growth rate of 3.4% by the end of 2024, a testament to our resilient economic strategies,” Dr. Amin Adam emphasised.
The government, through the forum, has begun an accountability exercise to showcase its massive infrastructural developments in the various regions of the country while engaging citizens to take feedback on governance.
The exercise is on the theme: “Regional Revitalisation: Government’s Commitment to Growth, Development, and Prosperity.”
The Minister for Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, who opened the forum said the townhall meetings are part of government’s strategy to account to Ghanaians what it has been able to achieve in the past 7 and half years.
“Our goal is to create a government that listens, responds, and acts in the best interest of its people. These town hall meetings are a step towards achieving that vision. We are building a future where every Ghanaian feels included and empowered to contribute to our nation’s growth,” she said.
She said in the next few weeks, the Ministry will visit the remaining 15 regions, to further engage citizens and collate feedback on government projects and policies to aid government in the delivery of its projects.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Titus Glover, providing a comprehensive update on the developmental projects undertaken by the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration said government has achieved a lot within the region and is bent on completing projects that have been stalled.
“We are committed to improving the lives of our citizens through strategic infrastructural development. From roads and bridges to schools and hospitals, we are building a future where every Ghanaian can thrive,” stated Mr. Glover.
One of the key features of the event was the exhibition center, where all 29 districts within the Greater Accra Region showcased their respective projects and initiatives.
This provided a platform for local governments to highlight their contributions to regional development and allowed citizens to gain a deeper understanding of the progress being made at the grassroots level.
The exhibition also facilitated direct interactions between government officials and the public, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility.
The meeting brought together a diverse audience, including government officials, youth groups, union representatives and community leaders.
This inclusive approach ensured that critical issues were discussed from multiple perspectives, fostering a collaborative environment for problem-solving and idea-sharing.
The discussions covered key sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and economic empowerment, with government appointees providing answers to pressing questions from journalists and the public.
One of the participants, a youth leader from the region, expressed his appreciation for the initiative.
“It’s refreshing to see the government engaging with us directly. This platform allows us to voice our concerns and contribute to the development of our communities. I hope this continues beyond the meetings,” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by many attendees who appreciated the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with their leaders.
