The Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has said that the government’s reset agenda was on course to transform the economy to improve the well-being of the people.
She mentioned the stabilisation of the economy — reduction in inflation, and strengthening of fiscal discipline within the last 16 months — as some prudent measures taken by the government.
“Also, within this short period, the whole country has been turned into a construction site under a Big Push programme.
“When we say GDP has increased by six per cent, I know some people downplay it, but it is a very significant achievement which we are looking at improving.
“We want to start adding value to our raw products before export as well,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said.
She was speaking during a meeting with the Ghanaian Community in Vic, Spain, last Sunday, on the theme: “United in Spain, committed to Ghana: Welfare, census and collective growth.”
The Vice-President was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa; the Ambassador of Ghana to Spain, Kalsoume Sinare Baffoe; the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice-President, Alex Percival Segbefia, and the Political Advisor at the Office of the Vice-President, Dr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, among others.
She urged members of the diaspora community to continue to support the government and bear with them when some difficult decisions had to be made for the greater good of the country.
Commendation
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang commended the Ghanaian community for projecting the good image of Ghana as a peaceful country with very industrious citizens, which she said had been acknowledged by the Spanish authorities.
“We have heard of your good reports.
Everywhere we have been to, they spoke well of you; you deserve commendation for this effort.
“You really embody and carry yourselves well as Ghanaians; thus, projecting a good image of our country, for which we are very proud of all of you,” she said.
The Vice-President urged them to continue playing the good ambassadorial role by avoiding any acts that could dent the image of Ghana.
Consular services
Mr Ablakwa, assured the Ghanaian community of the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the rights of all Ghanaians across the world were respected.
“As your minister, I owe you the necessary consular services, including your protection.
Under President Mahama’s leadership, no Ghanaian will be touched without any action being taken.
“President Mahama dispatched me recently to pursue an unfortunate incident in Latvia involving a Ghanaian student who died under strange circumstances.
“In Ukraine, two Ghanaians have been captured as prisoners of war, and we went there to negotiate their release.
President Mahama, on his visit to Ukraine, at the appropriate time will have them released to him,” he added.
About the demand for a consular office by the Ghanaian community in the Catalan Region, the minister pledged to work towards its realisation.
