2.1.4   The   Judicial   Service   has   established   a   Judicial   Complaints   Unit,   headed   by   a   retired   Supreme  Court  Judge  to  address  public  complaints.   2.1.5   The   Public   Procurement   Authority   (PPA)   has   established   a   7-­‐member   Appeal   and   Complaints   Committee   to   receive,   investigate   and   advise   the   Authority   on   complaints   from  individuals  and  institutions  concerning  public  procurement.     2.2   Economic  Governance  and  Management     2.2.1   Real   GDP   growth   has   been   resilient   in   the   face   of   external   shocks   and   energy   crises   increasing   marginally   from   about   6.2   percent   in   2006   to   6.3   percent   in   2007   and   is   expected  to  increase  to  7  percent  in  2008   2.2.2   The  Bank  of  Ghana  in  collaboration  with  the  Association  of  Bankers  has  introduced  the   National  Switch  (E-­‐Zwich)  and  the  Biometric  Smart  card  (e-­‐zwich  smartcard)  as  part  of   the  GIPSS  project.  The  bank  has  also  created  a  common  platform  for  ATMs,  credit  cards,   money  transfers,  as  well  as  accelerated  transaction  settlement  with  automated  cheque   clearing.   2.2.3   Though   the   total   debt   stock   increased   from   USD   7,409.72   million   at   end   of   2007   to   USD8,488.74  million  as  at  end  of  June  2008,    gross  public  debt-­‐to-­‐GDP  decreased  from   50.80  percent  in  2007  to  46.11  percent  as  at  June  2008.   2.2.4    Government   introduced   the   Fiscal   Responsibility   Bill   during   the   year   in   an   attempt   to   curb  the  overall  fiscal  deficit  and  its  negative  implications  o  macroeconomic  stability  as   well   as   boost   confidence   in   the   international   community.   The   Bill   is   an   indication   of   Ghana’s  commitment  to  fiscal  discipline  and  debt  sustainability.   2.2.5   The   Policy   Analysis   and   Research   Division   of   MoFEP   has   established   an   11-­‐member   multidisciplinary  team  to  develop  a  Macroeconomic  Model  for  Ghana.     2.3   Corporate  Governance   2.3.1   The   length   of   time   required   for   business   registration   as   well   as   corrupt   practices   associated   with   registration   has   substantially   decreased   following   the   opening   of   the   ultra-­‐modern  front  office  of  the  Registrar-­‐General’s  Department  (RGD)   11    

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