Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has commended the Ministry of Finance for its role in addressing Ghana's economic challenges, saying the ministry has remained focused and taken deliberate steps to steer the country through a difficult period.

Speaking during a visit to the Ministry of Finance, Prof Opoku-Agyemang thanked Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Deputy Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, and staff for their work, noting that although the government anticipated difficult conditions when it assumed office in January, the practical realities proved even more challenging.

She said taking over government meant inheriting not only the benefits but also the responsibilities of office.

"We knew that the situation was going to be difficult. Maybe the practical situation deepened that difficulty and so we needed all of us to come on board to try and solve the problems. Definitely you don't inherit only the benefits, you also inherit responsibilities," she said.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said the visit was intended to strengthen collaboration across government and remind public servants that, regardless of where they work, they are part of one team working towards a common goal.

She urged officials to place the country's interests at the centre of every discussion and decision.

"Yes, we are supporting our president but we are also supporting our country. So let us put our country at the forefront of our discussion and of our deliberations to ensure that what we do, the decisions we make, are impacting positively on the lives of all of us and of our citizens," she stated.

The vice president acknowledged that government had been compelled to make difficult decisions, including decisions on appointments, because of the country's economic circumstances.

She said she wished conditions had been easier and that everyone who deserved an appointment could have been accommodated, but stressed that the situation could have been worse.

She thanked Ghanaians and public servants for their patience, tolerance, understanding and continued support for the government's efforts to stabilise the economy.

"We want to thank everyone also for your patience, for your tolerance and for your understanding and for supporting the system that we are trying to put in place," she said.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said discussions at meetings of the Economic Management Team had highlighted the scale of the country's debt obligations.

She noted that resources used to service debt could otherwise have been invested in schools, hospitals, roads and improved public services.

"The minister has talked about all the debt repayments... if all this money were not paid out, imagine the schools we'll have, imagine the hospitals we'll have, the quality of roads, the quality of care," she said.

She added that the situation underscored the need to ensure the country leaves a stronger economic foundation for future generations.

The vice president also praised the Ministry for achieving female representation of 41 per cent, describing it as exceeding the requirements of the Affirmative Action agenda.

She encouraged the ministry to continue increasing women's participation, particularly in leadership positions.

"I also noticed that in your statistics that you have 41% females and I want to congratulate you on that. It means you have even gone beyond the affirmative action and I want to encourage you to do even more," she said.

She further commended the Ministry for the interventions it had undertaken since government assumed office, including efforts to move Ghana beyond the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang said the upcoming July review meeting would be important in sustaining the gains already made.

"We look forward to sustaining the gains. That's very important so we don't slack," she said.

She acknowledged that the road to recovery would remain difficult but expressed confidence that continued discipline would eventually improve employment opportunities and ease the burden on citizens.

The vice president also praised the Ministry for introducing greater efficiency and discipline into government expenditure.

She said, however, that beyond diversifying the economy, Ghana must focus on adding value to its natural resources, particularly gold and cocoa, to increase national revenue.

"If all we have is gold or cocoa, how do we get more out of it than we've been getting over the years? And how does our budgeting ensure that we are getting more?" she asked.

She noted that relying heavily on raw commodity exports and volatile international prices made long-term planning difficult and stressed the need for Ghana to take greater control of its economy.

Prof Opoku-Agyemang also welcomed progress made towards establishing the Women's Development Bank, describing it as an important step towards promoting inclusive economic growth.

She said government had worked hard to establish the bank and looked forward to its inauguration in the near future.

According to her, the bank would provide support for women, particularly those at the bottom of the economic pyramid who are often unable to access credit from traditional financial institutions because of collateral requirements.

She also acknowledged the allocation of GH¢450 million towards the initiative and expressed optimism that additional resources would become available.

Concluding her remarks, the vice president thanked all staff of the Ministry of Finance for their contributions, including those whose work often goes unnoticed.

She specifically recognised drivers, cleaners, messengers and other support staff, saying government decisions should improve their lives as much as those of every other Ghanaian.