Ghana Broadcasting Corporation
President Kufuor says his government is
committed to ensuring the total inclusion of Ghanaians in the national
development agenda. The move his said is to protect the venerable and
to improve the lives of all especially low income earners. President
Kufuor stated this in the speech read on his behalf at the Launch of
the 2007 Human Development report by the UNDP in Accra. President John
Agyekum Kuffuor said pragmatic steps are being taken to bridge the gaps
of social exclusion and promote an inclusive society.He said the
introduction of the National Insurance Scheme, National Youth
Employment Policy, National Social Protection Strategy and Social
Grants programme are some of the interventions put in place to address
the identified gaps.
The
197-page report, which is done by the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), is under the theme: "Towards a More Inclusive
Society" captured the vision of government, the objectives and the
targets of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). He
said the nation's plan in promoting inclusiveness has also been
incorporated in national economic development programmes such as the
Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy 1 and the Growth and Poverty Reduction
Strategy 11.
He said the introduction of Livelihood Empowerment
Against Poverty (LEAP) and the promotion of enabling environment for
the private and public sectors to thrive are all indications of
government willingness to promote a more inclusive society. The
President expressed his appreciation to the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) for sponsoring the research and said the report
provides opportunities for further investigations and pointed out key
areas that required more attention and improvement in addition to sound
basis for policy initiative. He entreated all to read the report and
generate objective debate in thematic areas of gender equity,
empowerment of the vulnerable, youth employment and extensive community
involvement in good governance.
He said it is important to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and a middle income status in the shortest possible time.
Presenting
the highlights of the report, the Leader of the consultants who were
tasked to work on the report Professor Cletus Dordunoo said the report
examined the major drivers that influenced exclusion and the
involvement of a more inclusive society. The report, which is the sixth
edition has six chapters focusing on the framework Social Exclusion,
Status of Human Development and Social Exclusion, Social Structure,
Systems and Practices, Social Exclusion: The Economic Dimension, Social
Exclusion : The Political and Legal Dimension and Conclusions:
Promoting an Inclusive Society. The report called for further research
in the area of development and implementation of advocacy programmes as
well as policy planning and implementation.
Return to the list <<<<<
