The Official Launch of the 3rd Ghana Policy Fair on Thursday 5, April, 2012 At the Ministry's Press Conference Room

Hon. Deputy Ministers
Ag. Chief Director
Friends from the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen

We have gathered here this morning in conformity with the assurance and commitment of H.E. Prof. John Evans Atta Mills to run a transparent and accountable government. It is an undisputable fact that the Ghana Policy Fair concept has become one of the surest avenues through which our resolve to run a system of government in which the good people of Ghana are provided with inalienable access to information, regarding the discharge of our responsibilities to the people are manifested.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in meeting our obligations to the people of our motherland, we have and still continue to remove schools under trees. We are ensuring quality and universal access to education by providing free school uniforms to Ghanaian school children and also providing additional classroom blocks and dormitories for almost all the Senior High Schools in the country.

Our determination to add unto the number of public universities in the country, by establishing two more universities in the Volta and Brong Ahafo Regions is also on course.  We have also ensured food security by adopting measures that have contributed enormously towards increased food production and adequate storage which will go a long way towards guaranteeing a steady income and improved livelihood for our farmers. Cocoa production also hit an unprecedented 1 million metric tons in 2011.

You would agree with me that our resolve to invest in the people of Ghana has been adequately matched with our determined efforts to provide quality health care in the form of the construction and acquisition of health delivery facilities and experiment. This is to ensure that Ghana has a Healthy Labour Force to implement its positive development agenda.

On the economic front, GDP growth in 2011 stood at a historic 13.6%. Inflation has been sustained at a single digit rate for 22 months and Ghana Secured the biggest single loan package of 3 billion dollars from China which reflects overwhelming confidence in our economy. This loan is to implement the Government’s accelerated Development Programs.

Members of the Press, the achievements of our government, headed by H.E. Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, in all the sectors of our economy within this short period in office, did not come about by accident, but has been as a result of the implementation of well thought out policies and programmes.

It is these policies, programmes, projects and activities that the Ministry of Information wishes to showcase to the good people of Ghana through its innovative brainchild, which is the Ghana Policy Fair.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as you may recall, the first of its kind in Ghana and most probably within the West African sub region, was held in the year 2010. Subsequently, the Ministry of Information has since organized the second (2nd) Ghana Policy Fair and three other Regional Policy Fairs in the Volta, Ashanti and Northern Regions of the country.

It is estimated that over Fifteen Thousand (15,000) people patronized the 2011 National Policy Fair, while over Twenty Four Thousand (24,000) people collectively participated in the three (3) Regional Fairs.

The noble idea, has not only helped to bring governance closer to the people, but has also created the enviable record of making our people, the rightful owners of our policies and projects.

By this, opportunities have been created for the general public to assess the performance of our government and also critique some of our policies in an open and transparent manner. This has also enabled us, as a government, to factor the concerns of our people into our policy decisions within each policy cycle.

It is therefore upon this basis that we are always encouraged to come before our brothers and sisters, to share in a very frank manner, how their natural resources such as the oil and gas resources, mineral and forest resources, as well as their tax revenues are being utilized.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the third (3rd) in the series of the Ghana Policy Fair, which is always hosted by the Ministry of Information, on behalf of the Government of Ghana, is scheduled to take place from Monday, 16th April to Saturday, 21st April, 2012 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The Fair, being held under the theme: Building together in a Better Ghana, would be opened by H.E. Dr. John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President of the Republic at 10:00 am on Monday, April 16.

As has been the practice, the Six day event would witness the rare opportunity of all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, as well as all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, being brought together under one roof to provide a one-stop access to the general public.

This would provide an avenue for our people to interact freely with all the Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers of public institutions as well as the Chief Directors, Directors and other senior members of these institutions to offer suggestions, seek information, clarify policy issues and to better understand our policy and project initiatives.

It will also provide the platform for the private sector to explore opportunities for possible collaboration that would rake in the much needed resources as well as creating employment avenues for the Ghanaian Youth.

As we continue to create the conducive atmosphere for our people to be provided with the right information, we equally facilitate the sharing of expert opinions on the various ways through which we strive to build a Better Ghana for all.

In this regard, ladies and gentlemen, this year’s Policy Fair Dialogue Series shall also witness innovative sessions and very interesting topics which would be handled by some of the illustrious sons and daughters of our land.

This would take place according to the following schedule:

MONDAY:    16TH APRIL, 2012
2:00PM       AFTERNOON DIALOGUE:
TOPIC:       Taking Full Advantage of Ghana’s Economic Gains to Transform The Ghanaian Society

Speakers:   Dr. Kwabena Duffour (Minister of Finance)

Dr. Joe Abbey (CEPA)   Dr. Yao Graham (TWN) Moderator:    Mr. Kwame Peprah (Board Chairman, SSNIT)

TUESDAY:     17TH APRIL, 2012
10:00 AM    MORNING DIALOGUE:
TOPIC:         Meeting Ghana’s Energy Needs-Current Status and Preparations for the Future
Speakers:     Hon. Dr. Joe Oteng Agyei (Energy Minister)
Mr. Goosie Tannoh (Consultant)
Moderator:    Mr. Ato Ahwoi (Board Chairman, GNPC)
2:00PM        AFTERNOON DIALOGUE:
TOPIC:         Promoting the Creative Arts to Accelerate National Development
Speakers:    Mr. Kwaku Sintim Missah (C.E.O, Sapphire Production
Mr. Bice Kuffour (President, MUSIGA)
Mr. John Dumelo
Mad. Shirley Frimpong Manso
Moderator:    Hon. Akua Sena Dansua

WEDNESDAY: 18TH APRIL, 2012
10:00 AM    MORNING DIALOGUE:
TOPIC: All we must know about the 2012 General Elections
Speaker:    Dr. Kojo Afari-Gyan, Chairman EC
Moderator     Mr. K.B Asante

2:00PM     AFTERNOON DIALOGUE:
TOPIC: Mobilizing the Youth for National Development
Speakers:    Hon. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah (Deputy Minister, Youth and Sports)
Dr. Yaw Perbi
Mr. Roland Agambiri
Moderator:    Mrs. Sedinam Tamakloe Attionu-Coordinator, NYA

THURSDAY: 19THAPRIL, 2012 (INFRASTRUCTURAL DAY)
10:00 PM    MORNING DIALOGUE:
TOPIC: Focus on the Roads and Health Sectors
Speakers:    Hon. Joe Gidusu (Minister, Roads and Highways)
Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin (Minister, Health)
Moderator:    Mr. Ben Ephson

2:00PM     AFTERNOON DIALOGE:
TOPIC: Focus on Education and Transport Sectors
Speakers:    Hon. Lee Ocran (Minister, Education)
Mr. Sam Garba (Administrator, GETFUND)
Hon. Collins Dauda (Minister, Transport)
Moderator:    Prof. Jane Naana Agyemang (UCC).

FRIDAY: 20TH APRIL, 2012 (Family Day with Rev. Dr. Sam Kisseadoo)
10:00 AM    MORNING DIALOGUE:
TOPIC: A Healthy Home, a Healthy Nation
Speakers:     Rev. Dr. Sam Kiseadoo
Moderator:    Mad. Esther Cobbah (CEO, StrattCom Africa)

2:00PM     AFTERNOON DIALOGUE:
TOPIC: Principles of Pursuing Family Excellence
Speakers   :    Rev. Dr. Sam Kisseadoo
Moderator:     Dr. Christine Amoako Nuamah

Ladies and Gentlemen, these details reveal that the 3rd Ghana Policy Fair promises to live according to our usual expectations.

I would therefore like to use this opportunity to invite Ghanaians, especially students, the business community, youth groups, women groups, civil society organizations, researchers, development specialists, the various political parties, public service workers and our development partners to patronize the 3rd Ghana Policy Fair so that we would continue to build together in a Better Ghana. Let me please emphasize here that attendance is free.

On this note, ladies and gentlemen, I declare the 3rd Ghana Policy Fair to be held from April 16 to 21, 2012 duly launched.