<<Print>>

President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday said the government would devote 2014 to the creation of jobs for the teeming youth. He mentioned the establishment of new senior high schools, the re-building of the railway lines and the expansion of the Tema and Takoradi harbours as some of the areas jobs would be created. President Mahama said these at a news conference at the Flagstaff House to mark his first year in office on the theme:" One year of responsible, transparent and accountable governance.� Journalists asked questions on the economy, politics as well as social issues, and the President explained some policies the government had initiated and programmes to be executed. Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament and the leadership of the National Democratic Congress were also present. President Mahama said the government was on track with sound economic policies to create more jobs. He said his administration would continue to institute measures that would improve the living conditions of every Ghanaian irrespective of professional, ethnic and geographical location. On fiscal discipline, President Mahama said the embargo on awarding new contracts, institution of performance contracts for ministers and fixing pre- paid meters in ministries, departments and agencies; were measures that would reduce government expenditure and over-spending. He said the banning of Christmas hampers from government agencies also lent credence to the government's resolve to reduce expenditure and concentrate on development projects. President Mahama commended all Ghanaians for their support and promised to work assiduously for the improvement of lives of all Ghanaians.