Kuffuor vows to tackle poverty
SIX days after his electoral victory, President John Kuffuor of Ghana yesterday unfolded a vital agenda of his new government.
Kuffuor disclosed that in the next four years, he would tackle poverty.
Kuffuor told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that his priority is to improve the lives of 40 per cent of the population living without access to clean water, sanitation or employment.
The President, who was re-elected on Tuesday, said he believed the key to stability in Africa was to ensure that no part of society was marginalised.
President Kuffuor was returned to office after securing nearly 53 per cent of the vote in last Tuesday's election, which was praised by election observers.
In an interview with the BBC, Kuffuor stressed that poverty was a legacy of the failure by successive governments to address the problem.
"My government is determined to reduce the deprivation as much as we can within the term of four years.
"I lived in opposition for around 30 years, so in a way I empathise with the opposition", he said.
During his first term, the President cut inflation and borrowing costs, and he assured people during the election campaign that prices and wages would improve.
Kuffuor expressed his willingness to work with the political opposition within the boundaries of the constitution.
"I lived in opposition for around 30 years, so in a way I empathise with the opposition. I will respect it," he said.
He attributed the fair and peaceful elections to a desire of voters for stability.
He said: "People seem to feel they have had enough of experimentation since independence 47 years ago.
"We have seen about three or four military regimes... and these have not served the aspirations of the people."
