He said only a strong co-operation could fast-track the
diversification of their economies to reduce poverty, create wealth
and ensure better and improved lives. President Mills made the statement when a delegation from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), led by the Director General, Dr Kandeh Yomkella, called on him at the Osu Castle, in Accra.
The President said Government would not abandon the support
pillars of agriculture, trade and industry for the newly found oil and
gas industry as Ghana made efforts to improve and diversify the
economy.
The UNIDO delegation was in Accra for a two-day conference on
testing a diversification model to change the face of the African
economy and make it become the next global economic giant. President Mills said Ghana could not rely on the oil industry alone and so Government would throw its weight behind all sectors of the economy in efforts to build a prosperous nation and continent.
He said it was necessary for the nation to ponder over the next
stage it was going, after it had begun to pump oil in commercial
quantities. To that end Government would continue to lend support to the other sectors of the economy, develop the human resource base to
diversify and ensure a better economy.
President Mills urged partnership among African nations to find
solutions to the challenges of diversification and come out with
models that would be in the interest of the people, create jobs and reduce poverty. Dr Yomekella lauded Ghana for its premier role in the African independence struggle, democratic governance and the recent discovery and exploration of oil in commercial quantities.
He said Ghana was instrumental in his appointment for the first
and second time to the position of UNIDO Director General. Dr Yomekella expressed the hope that the test in Ghana to fashion
out a model for diversification and poverty reduction in Africa would
succeed. “Africa must position itself to be the next frontier of growth,” Dr Yomekella said.
Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Executive Secretary of the African
Caribbean and Pacific nations, said Africa was really determined to
make a difference to realise its full potential. He called for the adoption of models that would make oil wealth become a blessing,
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African Nations Need To Compare Notes – President Mills