I won’t change my focus as President -Akufo-Addo

The direction of the ruling government will not change, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced.

According to the President, the policies and programmes rolled out by his administration are those he is confident will pilot the nation into progress and prosperity.

President Akufo-Addo said this on Friday, July 7, 2023 at the Valley View University, Oyibi, Accra, at the first special congregation for the conferment of honorary degrees.

The President said that before he assumed office, he understood the mandate, given his political experience since the era of Kutu Acheampong in the 1970s.

He acknowledged the turbulence faced in the last six years of his reign, but is certain that those setbacks would not change his “long-held view” that policies like Free Senior High School and One District, One Factory are prudent for Ghana.

He mentioned that, whilst ‘One District, One Factory’ are adding value to raw materials, ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ is also ensuring food sustainability, as the digitilisation drive is also enhancing efficiency in the delivery of public services and management of the national economy.

These, among others, President Akufo-Addo told the gathering, “Are what are needed to help build the progressive, prosperous Ghana which we all yearn for. I will not change my focus. I acknowledge that life is still not as easy as it should be. However, one thing for which I am certain about is that, there are solid reasons to hope for a brighter tomorrow and I am confident that a brighter future will be evident soon.”

COMMENDATION

Concluding his address, President Akufo-Addo commended Valley View University for selecting four public figures for recognition and congratulated the awardees for their various services that culminated in the honor.

President Akufo-Addo opined that the four, being alumnus of the university, would undoubtedly “hold the values, principles and reputation of this university.”

President Akufo-Addo was also presented with a citation.

AWARDEES

The President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, the first Adventist to be President of a country in the world, who was on a 3-day state visit to Ghana, was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa).

He spoke to the congregation about leadership and how he should better the lives of the people who own the power. He called on the church to collaborate with governments to achieve progress.

The former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor, together with the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings were also conferred with degrees of Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa).

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Science.

Former President Kufuor made some remarks on behalf of the awardees, in which he expressed their “appreciation to Valley View University” for conferring on them the honorary degrees.

He stated that, they believe in public service that ensures “inclusiveness, equality of opportunity and eschew discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, tribe, or social standing.”

According to the Gentle Giant, quality public service should acknowledge individual citizens as the real sovereignty of the land.

Source: The Chronicle