By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani, Jan. 9, GNA – Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, the civil society and local government actor, says the nation requires a comprehensive approach that tackles barriers in indigenous governance, social welfare, and economic development in her reset and reconstruction.
That welcomes a strengthened public institution, realistic anti-corruption measures and law enforcement, participatory governance, diversified economy, infrastructure development, industrialisation, and entrepreneurship.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, Mr Ahenu also the Chief Executive Officer of the Sunyani-based Global Media Foundation, an anti-corruption and media advocacy Non-government Organisation indicated that a diversified economy would reduce the nation’s overdependence mining and agriculture.
“I think the new government has to prioritise and invest much in infrastructure to support industrialization, improve connectivity in creating a vibrant business environment for entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to flourish,” he stated.
Mr Ahenu said entrepreneurship and innovation held the key to the nation’s prosperity and economic freedom and called on the government to do more to explore entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth and businesses to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
“We need to innovate and adapt to changing market demands to create sustainable businesses,” he stated when expressing his view about the nation’s reset process as indicated by President John Dramani Mahama. Mr Ahenu also underlined the need for the government to improve the quality of education at all levels and align curricula with market needs.
There is also the need to promote vocational training and skills development to enhance employability as well as invest in research and innovation to drive technological advancement.
Mr Ahenu said the health sector systems ought to be strengthened too to provide accessible and affordable services and called on the government to also implement social protection programmes to support vulnerable populations and promote public health initiatives to improve overall well-being.
He said environmental sustainability remained another key area the government must focus on by implementing policies to protect natural resources and promote sustainable practices, calling for the need for the nation to address issues relating to climate change and invest in renewable energy as well.
“The government must also encourage sustainable urban planning and waste management,” he stated, urging strengthening of law enforcement not only to guarantee the safety and security of citizens, but also protect human rights and dignity as well.
“Issues relating to crime and violence ought to be tackled through community-based approaches,” Mr Ahenu stated.
GNA