Wednesday, November 11, 2009

IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE POOR — Christian Council (PAGE 20, NOV 11)

THE Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has entreated the Government to show more commitment towards improving the living conditions of the poor, particularly those in communities in the northern parts of the country where poverty is endemic.
“While we appreciate the Government’s efforts at ameliorating poverty in the country, we are reminding her that we have just six years left to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s),” the council stated.
The Northern Sector Co-ordinator of the CCG, Mr James A. Nahyi who addressed separate audiences in some selected mosques and churches in the Tamale metropolis, also expressed concern over the lack of employment opportunities for the youth.
He was speaking in connection with the campaign, “Stand up and take action against poverty and the MDGS,” under the auspices of the MDGS and the Ghana Coalition Against Poverty (GCAP).
The advocacy is part of a worldwide call to show support to end poverty and achieve and exceed the eight MDGs.
According to Mr Nahyi, the programme provides an opportunity for African citizens to show solidarity with millions of poor and excluded groups by demanding that Governments become more accountable by improving their governance practices and develop and implement pro-poor policies.
He, however, said “the activities were not only to remind the Government of the need to work harder towards reducing poverty, but also to remind ourselves that we need to create an atmosphere where development that will lead to poverty alleviation can take place”.
The co-ordinator further said a high percentage of children of school age were out of schools, child and maternal mortality rates were on the increase and environmental degradation was a menace in particularly, the three northern regions.

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