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played in the Accra initiative which saw the “Koudangou Operation” and “Operation Conquest First” coordinated by heads of security agencies and intelligence agencies in our neighbouring countries, which are Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger and Mali. This strengthened our borders and reinforced the resilience of security within our borders to ensure that our resilience against terrorism is maintained.
Mr Speaker, consistent with the credible discharge of article 40 of the 1992 Constitution, the President, within the first three years and as reflected in the Message on the State of the Nation, gave an outline of the very eminent commitment on policies implemented and targeted towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Out of the many interventions that the country has implemented, we could single out just three for the sake of time. SDG 13 which talks about climate action has seen the implementation of the afforestation programme which has resulted in the planting of over 30,000 hectares of land, with specifically over 27 million trees. This is a massive contribution to the emerging trends in our climate to change across the world.
If Ghana as a nation has been able to contribute to 30,000 hectares of land cultivated with trees and specifically 27 million trees, this is an initiative worth commending.
Mr Speaker, again, it is instructive to note that with regard to the implementation of SDG 4, which is in respect of quality education, now we can boast of the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme that has seen 1.2 million students catered for in the various second cycle institutions across the country who hitherto might have been denied access with cost becoming a barrier.
With SDG 8, in respect of decent work and economic growth, much has been said about the economic achievements within the past three years and the dramatic transformation of our economy. It is also remarkable to note that the least of the growth rates within the past three years, has been 6.3 and it still remains one of the highest in the whole world. The average of about seven per cent growth between 2017 and 2019 still puts Ghana among the fastest growing economies on the international radar.
Mr Speaker, these are very important achievements which reflect to the unflinching commitment of our President in ensuring that he is
consistent with the commitment our Constitution provides for in article 40, that Ghana takes steps to promote policies that would be channelled towards the attainment of the United Nations Charter and other international treaties, the President is on course, and Ghana as a nation state is on course.
In the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 10, the Bible says: “the thief cometh not, except to steal, kill and destroy.” However, we thank God that under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, the good name and reputation of Ghana has not been marred in unfortunate international judicial pronouncements which have rather sadly plunged the name of Ghana into international bribery scandals.
Mr Speaker, under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, “the Year of Return Programme” which was implemented and which received massive patronage from notable stakeholders and tourists from all over the world, is a testimony to the fact that when one makes the grass green, one would have patronage into the country. Now, we are in the second phase which is “Beyond the Return”. We could not have had all this goodwill if some lively events in the country within the past three years had
not been very positive and continued to raise high the flag of Ghana.
Mr Speaker, in page 2 of the Message of the State of the Nation, it is refreshing to note and I wish to quote with your indulgence, what the President stated; it states:
“Mr Speaker, some events in life leave an afterglow long after they have ended. I believe we can confidently say that the designation of 2019 as the “Year of Return”, and the events that emanated from that decision have certainly left an afterglow that Ghana can and must cherish.”
Mr Speaker, it is not an event that some decades to come would be remembered as an international embarrassment. It would be remembered as an international glory that many countries would emulate.
Mr Speaker, on the unfortunate global pandemic of the coronavirus, I was particularly glad that the President took time to commiserate with our brothers and sisters across the world and the nations that have been so devastatingly affected, in particular our brothers and sisters in China. He even commiserated with the People's Republic of China. The coronavirus outbreak is a serious international
crisis that Ghana as a nation, though no case has been recorded and no case would be recorded, is so concerned in combating the disease, we should do it just as we did when some other global pandemics like Ebola, H1N1 Influenza and Subvalvular Aortic stenosis (SAS) surfaced on the global stage.
Mr Speaker, this phenomenon is quite sad because as we speak, there has been about 83,000 recorded cases and about 2,800 deaths across the world. It is a sad phenomenon which one should never be tempted to play politics with. If anyone were ever inclined towards the position that evacuation per se would provide a one-stop solution to the protection of our citizens in the Hubei Province, whom we cherish, specifically in the city of Wuhan, perhaps they should revisit their position. They should recount the fallout from the recent evacuation of the United States' citizens from Wuhan, the challenges encountered and the complications that are emanating from those recent evacuations.
Mr Speaker, it is important for us to also recognise that the situation is heightening and extending into certain dimensions. Recently, we have had an announcement made by Iran, to the effect that there is a possibility of even
banning pilgrims who would want to embark on Hajj. This is how dire the situation has become. So I was particularly proud that the President of the Republic took time to caution everyone to desist from doing politics and seeking to score cheap political points from this rather sad propaganda.
Mr Speaker, I cannot conclude this debate without commiserating with all the countries across the world that are affected and also assure our brothers and sisters in the Hubei Province of China and Wuhan city that our prayers are with them and the support that the President through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, spearheaded by our mission in China is delivering to them would be sustained.
We would continue to support them until such a time when we have fully eradicated the rather sad pandemic.
Mr Speaker, you have travelled across the globe and you have visited various Missions of the Republic of Ghana. You as well as many other Hon Members of Parliament who have conducted business on behalf of the House in many counties, would testify
that the state of the properties housing our missions, chanceries and the residences of our diplomats have not been the best. One would recount that in most cases, when we are approving budgets year-by-year in this House, a chunk of the budget allocated to our missions have gone into rents. As a nation we have all consistently called for us to move towards property acquisition.
Mr Speaker, I am glad to announce to you, that under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which was not seen in past regimes, in just three years, we have seen a remarkable change of face at our missions abroad which, have repositioned our image in those places where we are ably represented. I am glad to also announce that we have opened four additional missions, which include the new Mission in Oslo, Guangzhou and Port Louis.
Mr Speaker, there have been six property acquisitions in just three years. They include: our residence for the Vatican Mission; residence for the Oslo Mission; Chancery for Toronto Consulate; Chancery for Tel Aviv Mission; Chancery for Brussels Mission and the residence for the Cotonou Mission. Not only have these properties been acquired, but
there is also construction ongoing for additional properties.
Mr Speaker, one can cite the Bamako Chancery and the Chancery in Geneva, which is a multilateral Mission. We could also refer to the Chancery at Addis Ababa which is also a multilateral centre, the Chanceries in Namibia and Paris, as well as various renovations of our property abroad. I could not just talk about the new face of our Missions abroad without commending this House for approving the new Foreign Service Regulations which came with improved and revised conditions to serve as motivation for our foreign service staff and diplomats who are ably representing us in various missions.
Mr Speaker, back home, under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, there have been very notable reforms in our passport application and the administration of our passport system. Hitherto, we had people complain that to apply for an ordinary passport took them three months to collect same. Now, we have a turn-around and improvement. Even as early as five days, one can apply and have their passports. We are also improving accessibility and bringing passport application to the doorsteps of every Ghanaian in every corner of the
country. Notable passport application centres have been opened. These include the Premium Passport Application Centre in Kumasi and the Passport Application Centre in Koforidua. We recently opened one in Tema Community 4.
Mr Speaker, to widen accessibility, plans are underway to also cover Bolgatanga, Wa and Cape Coast. Plans are far advanced to see the completion of the Tamale Premium Centre.
Mr Speaker, now, with the reform of the validity period revised from five years to 10 years, one would not have to be burdened with the responsibility of going frequently to renew one's passport. There is even an introduction of a 48-page passport for frequent travellers. All these reforms have made life very easy for the ordinary Ghanaian.
Mr Speaker, due to time constraints, I would conclude. Back home and internationally, owing to the effective and creditable discharge of our foreign policy, the cordial and the bilateral relations that we extend to our sister countries, and the very positive leading contributions that we continue to give in our multilateral commitments, Ghana continues to enjoy a high reputation and goodwill.
This would require a reward of four more years for the President of the Republic of Ghana.
Thank you.
