I am extremely happy to be here this morning to participate in today’s People’s Assembly. Todays event is a milestone not only for the people of Western Region but for the entire nation. The essence of these Assemblies has been to highlight the deepening of our democracy, and today is no exception. The opportunity to interact with the President and to ask him any question that comes to your mind without intimidation is a powerful legacy of his Excellency, President John Agyekum Kufuor.

My task is indeed very simple. I am to introduce the President of the 4th Republic of Ghana to you his people. He will be taking in your questions and concerns and will do his very best to answer them to your satisfaction.

But before I introduce the first gentleman of the land; permit me to take this opportunity to thank the people of Western Region for being so very hospitable. I have always wondered about the adage that the best comes from the west, but this past week I must admit that I am close to becoming a believer. We have had the opportunity to tour some of your localities since we arrived and the reception has been tremendously warm. A big thank you also goes to my colleague the Hon. Regional Minister, his Deputy, the local organizing committee and the team from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Information Services Department that worked tirelessly to make it possible for us to meet here today.
We also thank the Attorney General and Minister for Justice Hon Joe Ghartey for being with us.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the People’s Assembly concept is a powerful component of governance and a key landmark in our quest for freedom of speech. All of us here should pat ourselves on the back for our various roles in making Ghana an open and free society with respect to information gathering and dissemination. I share this with you to remind you that this air of freedom we enjoy should not be taken for granted; we should guard it passionately, lest it slip from our hands.

The Ministry of Information and National Orientation in the past year has further strengthened its efforts to share government policies and achievements with the people. Most of you have by now noticed the Mobile Cinema Vans that are in every district of the country showing development documentaries and public education messages interspersed with interesting local films. The vans are helping to showcase projects and achievements of your government over the last few years. Some of these are truly exciting to behold. A recent example in this region, is the Essipon Stadium which is right behind us and which H E the President commissioned just last Sunday.

Another policy that brings information closer to you is the ‘Meet the Press’ Series which enables you to hear from your sector Ministers what their achievements and challenges have been in the course of the year. Like this platform, it also allows government to get some feedback from the citizenry.

Ladies and Gentlemen, National Orientation is also another great policy of rekindling our values and sharing information that solidifies our cultural heritage and makes us uniquely Ghanaian, but I must stress that each and everyone of us must to imbibe the National Orientation Pillars to make us Proud as Ghanaians and to instil in us a Can-Do Spirit to move Ghana forward.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the election is less than a year away, and one of the most important tools we will rely on to decide our collective future, is accurate and factual information about our governments, both past and present. Let us be circumspect in our interactions with one another and especially let us try to focus our discourse on issues and facts, rather than on innuendo and mischievious mud-slinging.

In this regard I’d like to also acknowledge the role played by the Media in our national development. Although you have sometimes been critical of government, you have really enriched good governance in this country. While I urge you towards greater professionalism and more accuracy in your reports, I assure you all, that this government appreciates your contribution and will continue to work hand in hand with you to ensure the preservation of your freedoms and the protection of your rights.

Perhaps this might be an ideal time to mention to my colleagues in the media that in the near future, H. E. the President will be inviting you all to a Meet-the-Press where you can review the achievements and challenges of his administration. But back to today, after H E the President’s address, we will be taking questions and comments from anybody who steps forward to the mic and takes his or her turn. On previous occasions some have missed the opportunity because others spent too long at the microphone. For todays penultimate event, let us keep questions, comments and contributions short, sharp and to the point. I also urge the contributors to speak with the appropriate courtesy as rude and insulting behaviour does not go with our National Orientation and would, therefore not be accepted.

I hope, these words of caution are unnecessary and we will be able to take a lot of questions and comments. I thank you for your attention.

And now Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Good People of Ghana, it is my privilege to introduce to you, our President, His Excellency, John Agyekum Kufuor.