President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in Parliament today, declared Ghana safe.
His submission comes as West Africa is under threat of violent extremism.
Delivering his State-Of-The-Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament, President Akufo-Addo noted that the territorial integrity of Ghana can no longer be taken for granted, attributing the situation to the hard work and dedication of the Security services. He said the government will guarantee the peace and security of the nation.
“The peace and security we have in our country has not happened by chance. It has taken deliberate policy and planning on the part of the Government, and a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of our security services to keep our country safe and secure.”
He said the government had diligently paid attention to the welfare of the Armed Forces and all the other security agencies, adding that the government has also quickened the pace of the retooling and equipping of the security agencies to ensure readiness towards the emerging security threats.
“Since we came into office, we have ensured a significant expansion of the Armed Forces and all the other security agencies. We are paying diligent attention to their welfare as well. The accommodation and physical environment generally of the security agencies are being improved. We have quickened the pace of the retooling and equipping of the security agencies to ensure readiness towards the emerging security threats.”
According to the President, the four radio stations shut down in Bawku by the National Communication Authority (NCA), was because they were propagating hate speech.
“The recommendation of the Upper East Regional and National Security Councils, four (4) radio stations, that have been broadcasting incendiary language and propagating hate speech, has been shut down by the National Communications Authority,(NCA).
He noted that the government was undertaking several measures to ensure Bawku is safe. These include the establishment of a Bawku Taskforce and a special court in Accra and Kumasi to deal with cases of violence from Bawku.
President Akufo-Addo also urged the Electoral Commission to iron out their differences with Political parties. He said the government will help ensure the conduct of this year’s elections will be free and fair.
He commended the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) for shelving its idea of changing the date of elections from December 9 to November 9.
Speaking on the economy of the country, President Akufo-Addo noted that one year on Ghana has made some significant progress with its domestic debt market.
He said bondholders exchange two hundred and three billion cedis worth of bonds within five months. This, he said, was done with the help of stakeholders within the financial and trade sector during the staff-level agreement.
He said so far government has paid for the first and second coupons to domestic bondholders.
President Akufo-Addo said the government is committed to concluding the external debt restructuring soon.
Source: Ruth Adjorlolo
