BEAR WITH GOVT...As it takes steps to fix economy (SPREAD)

The President, Professor J. E. Atta Mills, joined the people of Oguaa Traditional Area to celebrate their annual “Fetu Afahye" last Saturday and asked Ghanaians to bear with the government as it took measures to fix the economy.
He said the government inherited an ailing economic situation which would need sometime to turn around.
Addressing the durbar of chiefs and people to climax the annual festivities in Cape Coast, President Mills said the previous government spent eight years in office but his administration had been in office for only eight months of its four-year mandate.
He said the period so far spent in office by his administration was too short to be used as a yardstick to measure the performance of the government.
Giving the assurance that the government would not renege on its promises and responsibilities to deliver on its campaign promises and party manifesto, President Mills said what the government needed was patience and the support of the people to take the necessary steps to solve the economic problems confronting the country.
Professor Mills also called on the people to be patient, stand by the truth at all times and rely on their time-tested wisdom and intelligence to discern the truth from falsehood.
He called on the people of the Central Region to unite for the region to reclaim its past glory and image.
He recalled the nasty and ugly incident which took place at last year’s durbar during which one of his security personnel was allegedly assaulted by former President Kufuor’s bodyguards.
The President described this year’s celebration as peaceful and warm, an indication that the people cherished peace and development.
He said steps were being taken to restore the Fosu Lagoon, rehabilitate the bridge across it and complete the new stadium to befit the status of the metropolis where football began in the country. Additionally, he said, efforts would also be made to reconstruct the Kotokuraba Market.
President Mills expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome accorded him and the wonderful display by the asafo companies at the durbar grounds.
Earlier in his welcoming address, the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, said the visit of United States President Barack Obama to Cape Coast had positioned the municipality on the international scene as a tourist and investment destination.
He advised the people to take advantage of the visit and help to improve the tourism industry and the general outlook of the town.
Touching on the theme for this year’s celebration, “Convergence between Christianity and Tradition,” Osabarima Atta explained that it was chosen with the realisation that there was misunderstanding among Christians, Muslims and traditionalists and expressed the hope that the occasion would bring them together for the betterment of Oguaa.
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs Ama Benyiwa-Doe, who had presented items and cash on behalf of President Mills to the chiefs, asked them to continue to maintain the closer links between the Central Regional Co-ordinating Council and the House of Chiefs.
The Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress and Ambassador designate for Serbia, Mr S.V. Akyianu, later expressed the hope that the cohesion that had been witnessed within the metropolis recently would be maintained for its development.