Medium-term plan out soon - for socio-economic transformation

In attendance were Vice-President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur, former President Jerry John Rawlings, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Doe Adjaho, as well as ministers of state, Members of Parliament and traditional and religious leaders.

President Mahama said some of the programmes and projects to be captured in the medium-term development plan would be reflected in his State of the Nation Address.

He hinted that the government would soon present its budget, "in line with our progressive vision".

The President said the government was also designing a ministerial manual that would provide instructions to ministers for the rest of the year.

The document would be ready during the induction workshop for ministers for deliberation and feedback, he said, and indicated that the document would be implemented from April 1, 2013.

President Mahama said the government would insist on professionalism, inclusiveness, efficiency, civility and service in humility from all government functionaries, including civil and public servants.

Besides, he said, his administration "will scrupulously respect and promote human rights, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, deepen our democracy and provide reliable security for all persons who reside within our borders".

President Mahama gave an assurance that he would institutionalise meetings on  critical sectors with major stakeholders in and outside the country.

"I recognise the importance of information, and I will engage Ghanaian and international publics in a proactive, efficient and effective manner," he said.

On international peace and security, President Mahama affirmed the government's commitment to multilateralism and the use of peaceful means to resolve disputes within the international community.

He said Ghana would work to ensure durable peace and security in all ECOWAS member states, including Mali, as a prerequisite for sustainable economic development in the sub-region.

"Ghana restates its abiding faith in the family of international organisations such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth, ECOWAS, the African Union, the ACP arrangement, the NAM and other international institutions which this country belongs," he said.

President Mahama used the occasion to appeal to the members of the diplomatic corps to lend support to Ghana's candidate for the post of the next Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mr Alan Kyerematen.

The Ambassador of Burkina Faso and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Mr Sini Pierre Sanou, commended Ghana for the peaceful transition of power following the demise of President John Evans Atta Mills.

He again lauded Ghanaians for the peaceful, fair and transparent conduct of the December 7, 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Mr Sanou said Ghana was also making progress on the economic front as a result of prudent government policies.

He affirmed the resolve of all the countries to deepen ties with Ghana for the benefit of their people.

Story by Musah Yahaya Jafaru