President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has explained that the country decided to seek the collaboration of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to repair, in the short run, its public finances which have taken a severe hit of the effects of COVID-19 and Russia Invasion of Ukraine.
“I am confident that with determination, hard work, unity and the proverbial Ghanaian sense of enterprise we will succeed, we will make it and indeed this too shall pass,” he added.
He made the remarks at the swearing-in of 10 Ghanaian envoys at the Jubilee House last Thursday.
It is the first time President Akufo-Addo has commented publicly since the government announced the decision to engage the IMF.
The President explained that all the countries of the world were working to return themselves to a state of normalcy following the devastating impact of the pandemic of COVID-19 whose effects had been exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Economist have been plunged into recession, businesses have collapsed, lives and livelihoods have been disrupted, food and fuel prices have escalated dramatically as global and domestic inflation impressions mount,” he noted.
President Akufo-Addo expressed the hope that sooner rather than later, the world would make up on lost time and bounce to the road of growth and prosperity.
“In our case, we have decided to seek the collaboration of the IMF to repair in the short run, our public finances, which have taken a severe hit in very recent times as a result,” he added.
Lesson
The President added that the lessons from the trend of events were that all countries must strengthen and deepen ties, cooperation and bonds of friendship because no country could address the issues alone.
“No country can afford to do it alone, we either succeed together or we perish together. And this is where your work as Ambassadors and High Commissioners will be needed the most,” President Akufo-Addo added.
Ghana CARES
President Akufo-Addo urged the envoys to familiarise themselves with the objects of the Ghana COVID-19 Alleviation and Revitalisation of Enterprises Support (CARES) ‘Obaatampa’ programme, which set out the country’s roadmap towards reviving the economy.
He advised them to work with the governments of their accreditation to assist in the prosecution of their common agenda in the fight against the scourge of armed conflicts, terrorism and violent extremism, the threats of climate change, and the illicit flow of funds from Africa.
“While at it, you also have the onerous responsibility of promoting the image of a country whose reputation among the comity of nations continues to be high,” the President stated.
Relations
President Akufo-Addo urged the envoys to develop cordial working relations with the professional Foreign Service Officers they will find at their duty posts.
“They have invaluable experience and knowledge of the terrain, which should help you work effectively. You will need their assistance, and they will need your guidance and leadership,” he stated.
The envoys
The High Commissioners sworn-in by the President include Worwornyo Agyeman, High Commissioner to Sierra Leone; Florence Buerkie Akonor to Malaysia, Merene Benyah, Italy, and Mohammed Nurudeen Ismaila, Qatar.
The rest are Mavis Esi Kusorgbor, Angola; Lydia Ofosua Amartey, Israel; Emmanuel Kwame Asiedu Antwi, the Swiss Confederation; Emma Mensah, Senegal; Ahmed Hassan, Ambassador-at-Large; and Henry Tachie-Menson, Ambassador-in-Situ.
Speaking on behalf of the envoys, Ambassador Antwi expressed their gratitude to the President for the confidence reposed in them to represent Ghana.
He said they pledged to carry the flag of the country aloft and pursue government policy of seeking economic diplomacy that would lead to the eradication of poverty and creation of wealth in Ghana.