Ghana: Accelerating Growth to Halve Poverty

Ghana is currently one of the best-performing economies in
Africa. By improving policies and institutions, and investing in
infrastructure and basic services, Ghana has brought down poverty
levels from 52 percent in 1992 to 35 percent in 2003. It is likely
to surpass the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty
by 2015. Economic growth has averaged 4.5 percent from 1983
through 2000, but accelerated to 5.8 percent in 2004 and 6 percent
in 2005 in response to the government’s program of reforms. Ghanaians’
access to electricity is the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa
outside South Africa. All of this augurs well for Ghana to achieve
middle-income country status by 2015.

COUNTRY ACHIEVEMENTS:
1)
GDP growth has been around 6 percent in
2004, 2005, and 2006—signifi cantly higher
than averages over the past decade. The
domestic debt-to-GDP ratio fell from 23.7
percent at the end of 2002 to 10.8 percent by
the end of 2005.

2)The government has strengthened public
fi nancial management through improved
regulation, as well as more timely audits.
Reporting on budget execution has become
more frequent and of higher quality. Stronger
fi scal management has contributed to
lower interest rates, thus lowering the
government’s interest costs and increasing
the availability and affordability of credit to
the private sector.

Health.:
3) Ghana’s overall medium-term health strategy
exceeded its targets in increasing outpatient
visits and pre-natal services. Ante-natal
care visits now cover 98 percent of pregnant
women. Also, over the last few years Ghana
has registered increases in the use of mosquito
nets and in births attended by a health
professional.

FUNNY THOUGHTS

One day a college professor of Psychology was greeting his new college class. He stood up in front of the class and said, "Would everyone who thinks he or she is stupid please stand up?"
After a minute or so of silence, a young man stood up.

"Well, good morning. So, you actually think you're a moron?" the professor asked.

The kid replied, "No sir, I just didn't want to see you standing there all by yourself.

Are Ghanaian Men Romantic?

One area of great interest in animal behaviour studies is courtship. While some birds are known to jump on tree branches for hours, displaying their ability and colourful feathers, others sing beautifully, build artistic nests and decorate them just to attract female partners.

It is also known that some animals stay as partners for life and continue to display their deep affection openly by gestures.

Romance and women
Romance is especially important to women because they identify themselves by their friendship, relationship and emotions. Women love warm, comforting and sharing relationships. They hunger for emotional connection, intimacy and love.

These can be found in small intangible and non-sexual activities like hugging, comforting words, holding hands or sharing quiet moments with a lover.

In all talks on relationships, our women complain that Ghanaian men are not romantic at all. How many Ghanaian men hold their wives' hand as they cross the road or take a pleasure walk with their wives?

Why Ghanaian men are not romantic
Studies across the world indicate that most women in relationships feel they are not getting the kind of love they deserve. The situation is worsened in Ghana where traditional and cultural practices make it hard for men to show open affection by gestures.

A man is expected to associate with men and those who show open romantic gestures may be ridiculed.
Thus at social meetings it is common to see husbands and wives sitting separately, with no communication. It appears almost a taboo for a Ghanaian man to show open affection to his wife. The cold attitude of Ghanaian men is more pronounced in those who grew up in broken homes or homes devoid of affection.

If such men never learnt how to show affection by reading or going through counselling, they find it extremely difficult to show affection to those they love

The way forward
A relationship without romance is not worth it. Women must know that no man is born romantic. It is the special treatment men get which opens them up to express their true love openly.

Hug frequently
Scientists tell us that hugging produces a chemical which sustains lasting relationships. We must spend quality time just to connect to ourselves as we speak words of appreciation, motivation, love, comfort, kindness, hope and acceptance.

Allow your wife to express herself and her emotions freely and remember to use the magic words - "I love you, thank you, sorry, you have been good to me."

In addition, you can create signs and terms understood only by the two of you. You can make your home romantic. Hang a family picture. You can listen to your favourite songs or watch films together as you share a drink.

A man can join his wife to cook and do other house duties. We can also send small gifts and love notes. A walk, a drink or weekend travels are helpful. Above all, we must be honest with ourselves and ensure that our actions are real and not deceit or flattery. This is because in some instances romance doesn’t guarantee true love

There is one particular thing the world day after day are seeking for.
Huge amount of money is spent every day and inocent lives are lost just because of this. That thing is called WORLD PEACE.
If we can learn to respect one another's culture, belief, openion and learn to show love, see each person as an individual and stop all stereotyping, Wolrd Peace is achievable.
May God bless this wonderful world.
Shalom