President Kufuor Urges Hard Work, Productivity

President John Agyekum Kufuor has urged Ghanaians to forge ahead in unity to build a stronger and a more prosperous nation. He said there is so much going for Ghana as a nation and urged workers to work hard and increase productivity. President Kufuor was addressing workers at the Independence Square in Accra to mark May Day. He said “There is so much going for this nation. Ghanaians are a great people who have never been discouraged by temporary difficulties. Let us therefore maintain our resolve and our vision of creating a just, humane and peaceful nation aspiring to a middle income economy in the foreseeable future. “Let us therefore continue to work hard and be productive and have faith that God will help us to achieve our just aspirations.” The Trades Union Congress of Ghana honoured the President with a plaque and a citation for his remarkable contribution to the cause of organised labour. Addressing workers for the last time at the May Day celebration, he expressed his happiness in joining the parade as he bid an emotional bye to the annual ritual he has addressed yearly since assuming office as President. He said he deeply appreciated the opportunity to serve the nation and thanked the leadership of organised labour for their enormous support for his administration, recalling that labour and Government had together overcome very turbulent moments in their relations. He said those were the periods when agitated workers wearing red bands drew attention to their special concerns in dramatic fashion, however with focus, the agenda of prosecuting Ghana Incorporated is on course. President Kufuor therefore urged labour to extend the same support accorded his administration to his successor. This year’s May Day celebration was under the theme; Deepening Democracy in Ghana, the Role of Organised Labour. The President said in spite of the harsh global challenges posed by high crude oil prices, the economy remains robust and resilient, registering a steady growth and earning international respect. It is also set for rapid acceleration. He said presently, crude oil prices have gone haywire, while high food prices and food shortage also threaten many countries. But while all these threaten many nations, President Kufuor said Ghana, by virtue of good governance, is better off, with the Ministry of Agriculture instructed to ensure the proper marketing of food produce, while the Government is also arranging to store grains, all in a bid to avert shortages, urging that we should hold it together. Among several concerns raised by labour, was Ghana’s accession to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA-light), a move labour found improper. However President Kufuor explained that it was only a temporary measure to get the produce of under-developed nations into European Markets. He argued that while Nigeria with plenty of oil can afford not to sign, poor countries like Ghana, cannot afford the luxury of awaiting the negotiated agreements and urged a more objective review of the situation.