Accra, Tuesday 8th January 2018 ……. The Finance Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta hosted a group of African American students totaling 22, from various faculties of Yale University, USA.
Hon. Ofori-Atta holds an MBA from the University and the first African to be honoured Donaldson Fellow, which recognized him as an alumnus who has demonstrated personal and professional accomplishments of the school’s mission to educate leaders for business and society.
Interacting with the students on a wide range of issues, the Minister noted that, “it was very vital for African Americans in the diaspora to reconnect with Africa as there had been a misconception of what is Africa and what many believe to be Africa”.
The Finance Minister took time to enumerate a number of interventions the NPP government had put in place to build the country since it came into office in 2017. Among them included the ambiguous free senior high school education, nation builders corps, planting for food and jobs, digital addressing system, and one village one dam.
He revealed that H. E. the President’s vision of developing the human resource base of the country led to the introduction of the Free Senior High School and the double track system so that all qualified Junior High Students could gain access to Senior High School.
When asked on how the government engages fresh graduates for jobs after schools during the questions time, the Minister hinted that government focuses and supports the private companies through reduction in taxes and incentive packages for companies that employ more graduates from school, knowing that the private sector is the engine of growth and a major stakeholder in development of the country.
On strategies put in place to help small, medium and the informal market boost production, the Minister disclosed that government had started and would continue to make credit facility easily accessible to aid in businesses, as well as focus more on training in vocational skills to equip those already in business.
Mr. Charles Adu Boahen, a Deputy Minister of Finance also noted that though the free senior high school was accessible and free for all qualified students, government was more focused on the quality of the programme.
He further stated government’s commitment to focus more on the quality of Kindergarten and primary school education.
Present at the meeting were two deputies of the Ministry, Hon. Charles Adu Boahen, Hon. Abena Osei-Asare (MP) and staff from the Ministry of Finance.END