Ghana will be careful not to open itself up to terrorists and other criminals on the implementation of the visa-on-arrival policy, President John Dramani Mahama has said.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting with the Members of the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo, Japan yesterday, the President said in an era that terrorism had become a major threat to nations, the implementation of the visa-on-arrival policy for all Africa Union (AU) citizens would not guarantee automatic entry into the country for all people.
The policy, which is due to take off from July, this year, will perhaps make Ghana the easiest country in the world where Africans could travel to.
“From July, this year, Ghana would start the policy of visa-on-arrival with the option to stay to up to 30 days to experience what Ghana could offer,” President Mahama told the diplomats.
He said the policy would facilitate trade and investment, “and serve as an opportunity for our neighbours to experience Ghana, while fulfilling the AU’s version of greater integration among member states.”
The President encouraged other African countries to make similar provisions for other Africans.
Recognition
President Mahama said his appointment as Co-chair of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocacy Group was a great recognition given to Africa.
He mentioned poverty and climate change as some of the major challenges that the continent faced and said “these are not unsurmountable. But, we should make sure that no country is left behind,”
Economic challenges
Africa, the President said, was facing economic challenges, especially in unfavourable commodity prices.
“We need, therefore, to push for domestic consolidation, increased domestic revenue mobilisation and initiate social protection programmes for the poor and the vulnerable.
“This is exactly what we’ve been trying to achieve in Ghana,” the President said, adding that significant successes had been achieved in that regard.
He also said structural reforms in the face of the unfavourable world economic environment was important to protect African economies and prevent a slide back into poverty.
President Mahama said agriculture was one sector where the continent could leverage its comparative advantage to improve the lives of the people.
He indicated that Africa still had one of the largest arable lands in the world and with improved seedlings, appropriate technology and extension advice to farmers “we will not only increase agricultural productivity but also find jobs for our young people.”
Energy supply
Touching on energy, the President said most of Africa's development efforts had been hampered by inadequate energy supply.
It was, therefore, important that modern sustainable forms of energy were explored to drive the continent’s development.
Turning his attention on the situation at home, the President said recently, Ghana overcame its own energy challenge. According to him, an increase in demand resulting from the nation’s newly acquired middle-income status and industrialisation caused electricity demand to be higher than supply.
“Happily, we have attained a balance between demand and supply, but we need to continue putting in extra generation in order to ensure sustainability,” he said .
The President said the government’s agenda for transformation was focused on adding value to raw materials for export and a gradual return to industrialisation.
He assured the diplomats that the November 7 elections would be free, fair, peaceful and transparent
Speaking at a breakfast meeting with the Members of the African Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo, Japan yesterday, the President said in an era that terrorism had become a major threat to nations, the implementation of the visa-on-arrival policy for all Africa Union (AU) citizens would not guarantee automatic entry into the country for all people.
The policy, which is due to take off from July, this year, will perhaps make Ghana the easiest country in the world where Africans could travel to.
“From July, this year, Ghana would start the policy of visa-on-arrival with the option to stay to up to 30 days to experience what Ghana could offer,” President Mahama told the diplomats.
He said the policy would facilitate trade and investment, “and serve as an opportunity for our neighbours to experience Ghana, while fulfilling the AU’s version of greater integration among member states.”
The President encouraged other African countries to make similar provisions for other Africans.
Recognition
President Mahama said his appointment as Co-chair of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advocacy Group was a great recognition given to Africa.
He mentioned poverty and climate change as some of the major challenges that the continent faced and said “these are not unsurmountable. But, we should make sure that no country is left behind,”
Economic challenges
Africa, the President said, was facing economic challenges, especially in unfavourable commodity prices.
“We need, therefore, to push for domestic consolidation, increased domestic revenue mobilisation and initiate social protection programmes for the poor and the vulnerable.
“This is exactly what we’ve been trying to achieve in Ghana,” the President said, adding that significant successes had been achieved in that regard.
He also said structural reforms in the face of the unfavourable world economic environment was important to protect African economies and prevent a slide back into poverty.
President Mahama said agriculture was one sector where the continent could leverage its comparative advantage to improve the lives of the people.
He indicated that Africa still had one of the largest arable lands in the world and with improved seedlings, appropriate technology and extension advice to farmers “we will not only increase agricultural productivity but also find jobs for our young people.”
Energy supply
Touching on energy, the President said most of Africa's development efforts had been hampered by inadequate energy supply.
It was, therefore, important that modern sustainable forms of energy were explored to drive the continent’s development.
Turning his attention on the situation at home, the President said recently, Ghana overcame its own energy challenge. According to him, an increase in demand resulting from the nation’s newly acquired middle-income status and industrialisation caused electricity demand to be higher than supply.
“Happily, we have attained a balance between demand and supply, but we need to continue putting in extra generation in order to ensure sustainability,” he said .
The President said the government’s agenda for transformation was focused on adding value to raw materials for export and a gradual return to industrialisation.
He assured the diplomats that the November 7 elections would be free, fair, peaceful and transparent
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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