What of the Future, Mr President?

Q. As your presidency comes to an end, how do you view Ghana's future and its standing in Africa and the world?
A. Since the early 1980s we have managed, through painful economic, social and political reforms, to reposition our country gradually away from the turmoil, insecurity and uncertainties of the past.

We have built a modest foundation to enable Ghana to become a middle-income country by 2020. We have established a democratic system under which our people are enjoying basic freedoms on a scale that is unprecedented in our country. If, in the past, the future was confused and hopeless, today we stand before an horizon filled with hope.

But we need not become complacent and forget too soon how easy it is to backslide. Indeed, we need to continue with the same determination which saw us through the difficulties of the 1980s and 1990s.

Our efforts at pulling ourselves out of the difficulties of the past appear to have been recognised by the international community. I can also say that our brothers and sisters in Africa are happy to see Ghana take her rightful place as a torch-bearer of the liberation struggle, which is now being conducted on the economic front.

Q. What results have stemmed from the Queen's state visit, and how significant is Ghana's relationship with Britain?
A. Ghana and Britain enjoy very cordial relations. We were the first of the colonies in Africa to obtain independence, which, although it was a fierce struggle, did not carry the bitter memories which were obtained elsewhere. Naturally this period of colonial rule conjures mixed feelings among Ghanaians: sometimes of nostalgia, sometimes a bit of resentment.
Socially and culturally, we have large settlements of Ghanaians in the UK, some of whom are playing high-profile roles in British politics, the public service and the economy. Our economic ties have recently been enhanced, with Britain occupying the leading role in foreign direct investment in Ghana. Trade ties have also been expanded. So has British technical assistance.

Accounting for these increased exchanges has been the recent high level of political exchanges and trade missions between our two states. Many of our ministers and high-ranking officials have visited the UK in that connection, culminating in my own visit in 1995.

The Queen's visit in November 1999 must therefore be viewed against this background of high-level exchanges which we are both determined to see bear fruits for our mutual benefit.

Perhaps it is too early to start talking of the results of the Queen's visit to Ghana. Let me just say that her visit also marked an important watershed in Anglo-Ghanaian relations. It no doubt serves to further cement our historical bonds of friendship.

It will hopefully help increase economic, trade and tourism ties between our two states. Already her visit has helped in complementing our own efforts to market Ghana as a viable economic and democratic gateway to the huge potential of the West African market.

Q. Are you satisfied that the British business and investment community are taking the best advantage of the opportunities that exist for trade and investment in Ghana?
A. British investment and trade in Ghana has increased in recent times, making the UK the leading foreign investor in Ghana. Between 1994 and 1999, she registered as many as 96 new investment projects in Ghana. I note, however, that British investment in our agriculture sector is on the low side. Out of a total of 96, only one agricultural project was registered during the period.

Since agriculture is key in our economy, I would like to see more British and other investors in that sector. I also recognise that inadequate information, and sometimes misinformation, has accounted for the reluctance of certain potential investors to come to Africa.

Ghana, I believe, has done its best to address the relevant concerns of potential investors under our investment programme, and political and legal reforms. Lately, also, under the "gateway" concept.
It is my hope that many more British investors will take advantage of the large West African market through the safe gates of Ghana.

'Ghana has done its best to address
the concerns of potential investors'

Q. Will Ghana be able to continue its progress towards a fully market-driven and private-sector-led economy, and what are the next targets in this process?
A. In a global economy, a country which fails to move on that track does so at its own peril. We have been on the track and shall endeavour to tread with caution so as to take advantage of its opportunities.

With the help of our development partners, we are focusing on capacity building of both the private sector and the public service, which is there to help the former become the true engine of growth.

We are also targeting poverty alleviation so that as we move along, we do not leave behind many of our hard-working citizens in the rural areas, as well as those in deprived urban areas living below the poverty line.

Q. How do you rate the chance of Ghana becoming a middle-income country by 2020?
A. As you may well know, Vision 2020 is Ghana's long-term national development policy framework covering 1996-2020. It is being undertaken through a series of medium-term, five-year development programmes.

I presented the first five-year policy document of the vision to Parliament in January 1995. The accompanying medium-term plan (1997-2000) was subsequently started in June 1997 and is being implemented by the various ministries, departments and agencies as well as district assemblies.

Preparatory work has already begun on the second phase: 2000-2005. All stakeholders, from governments, the private sector, NGOs, etc. are being consulted. This time, the donor community is also invited to participate.

I expect that in spite of some of the economic hiccups we have experienced these past two years, a thorough review of the first phase should enable us to continue on track.

Having said that, I think it matters less whether we actually attain the status in 2020, the target year. If we remain on course, as we are determined to do, whether we reach there before 2020, in 2020 or soon after 2020 will not matter.

What matters is to maintain the momentum and ensure an incremental progress even if this is sometimes slowed down by unforeseen factors.

Q. How safe is the democratic process in Ghana?
A. The democratic process in any country is safe to the extent that its people and government are determined to work to ensure that they establish and maintain institutions, arrangements and attitudes which sustain the process.

It is also safe to the extent that the international community complements the national effort, thereby working together to create a global system of justice, peace, security, stability, solidarity and development.

We in Ghana have over the years worked consistently to establish relevant grassroots, as well as national and intermediate institutions which we believe will help keep our democracy alive.

I am convinced that the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians are determined to make our democracy work. With continued international goodwill and support, we should remain safe and even safer in our democratic process.

'The majority of Ghanaians are determined
to make our democracy work'

Q. Are you confident that the Government can maintain its control of spending?
A. Obviously you have asked this question because we are in an election year.

We learnt our lessons from the experiences of 1992 and 1996. You must realise that Ghanaians have gone past the situation where politicians played games and gambled with the national economy. Fortunately our friends on the other side of the political divide agree with us that prudent fiscal measures should be the basis of national development, no matter which party is in power.

Q. When will foreign and domestic investment replace the flow of aid?
A. I wish I could tell you. But I can tell you that we are working towards that time with our bilateral partners. I do, of course, know that this will happen but not soon enough.

Q. What are the strengths of the people of Ghana?
A. A relatively sophisticated manpower resource base and an enterprising people who are generally hard-working, tolerant, warm and generous, and prepared to sacrifice if they are given quality leadership.

Q. Looking back, which did you find were the most difficult moments and problems in your presidency?
A. We have come through many difficult moments and their attendant problems. But I will mention just a few. Stabilising the turbulent waters during the military uprising in 1979 as well as the explosive situation during the early 1980s were very challenging.

Reconciling divergent tendencies and sometimes apparently conflicting interest for the common good; the apparent lack of understanding and, to put mildly, even the inability sometimes of some of our development partners to appreciate the need to balance the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged of our society with those who are more endowed have been difficulties that have tasked us greatly.

I must admit we have made progress in sorting out many of these issues but there is still room for improvement in certain perceptions.

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