The Association of Ghana Industries and the Ghana Association of Banks have pledged to support the government to solve the economic challenges in the country. The two associations gave their support at separate meetings with President Akufo-Addo yesterday at Jubilee House, at the instance of the President.
The meetings were to discuss measures the government is putting in place to salvage the current crisis and how the associations could help to deal with the issue at hand. Both meetings later moved into conclave.
In his brief remarks to the Association of Industries, President Akufo-Addo said the meeting was to brief members about where the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had reached.
He added that the engagement would also provide an opportunity to solicit input from industry, particularly since the negotiations would have an impact on the economy.
“Basically, what I want to do is to indicate to you, where we have gotten to in the negotiation we are having with the fund, what it portends for the future of the economic policy in our country,” he said.
The President continued, “…hopefully, to have the opportunity to get your particular buy in, because we are talking, hopefully concluding soon, these important negotiations which we are going to have, you know as well as I do, have an important impact on the way forward for the Ghanaian economy in the months ahead, in the immediate years ahead.
“It is basically a familiarisation program and also to hear from you—what you think will be significant that you would want to hear about how we are going forward.”
The government officials at the meeting included the Chief of Staff, the Trades Minister, the Agric Minister, the Employment Minister, the Finance Minister and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
THE PLEDGE
The President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, responding to President Akufo-Addo expressed delight at the purpose of the meeting.
According to him, the association recognises what he described as the relentless efforts of President Akufo-Addo to steer the economy, and then followed up with the pledge.
He said, “We recognise your relentless efforts to steer our economy to a pride of place and your desire to transform our economy to the best of your ability. We pledge our support that together we shall resolve the intended difficulties as we so find them.”
He had earlier introduced his team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of AGI, Mr. Seth Twum Akwaboah; the Group Chairman of the Jospong Group, Mr. Joseph Siaw Agyapong; the General Manager of Irani Brothers; the Managing Director of Uniliver and the Managing Director of Wilmar Ghana.
MEETINGS CONTINUE TODAY
The Chronicle published yesterday that marathon meetings had been rolled out on how to address the economic crisis.
Yesterday, apart from the meetings with the Association of Ghana Industries and the Ghana Association of Banks, President Akufo-Addo also met with the Council of State, GPRTU and transport operators.
Today, the President will continue with the consultative meetings by engaging Forex Bureau Association of Ghana, market women, Ghana employers’ association, national executives of the Ghana Journalists Association among others.
