Luanda - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, wished the Angolan people a happy festive season on Tuesday and that the new year will bring the fulfillment of many postponed dreams.
In a message addressed to the Nation, on the occasion of the festive season, the Head of State refers to the Christmas period, in which families and friends gather, not only to celebrate, to celebrate and to share offerings, but also to make a retrospective analysis of what the year that ends was.
It is a moment, according to the President, to put into perspective what the new year can bring in personal, social, professional and business life.
The President says that the year 2024 was marked by a series of events that 'shaped us as a Nation and showed once again our ability to face adversity and move forward with determination'.
He highlighted the fact that young people are putting Angolan sport at a level that attracts attention and deserves recognition from the continent and the world.
He stresses that all sports have been growing, producing champions who already bring a respectable number of cups and medals from the international competitions in which they participate.
'Year after year, we have been doing everything to provide the Angolan people with better living conditions, in terms of access to food, drinking water, electricity, health, housing, basic education, higher education and employment,' said the statesman.
In this sense, he says that the Government's main focus has been on sustainable economic development, progressively reducing dependence on oil and increasing the focus on agriculture, especially family farming, agribusiness, industry, technological innovation and the creation of a competitive and attractive business environment for foreign investment.
With deep tax reforms and the promotion of economic diversification, the President points out that clear signs of recovery have begun to be seen, with agriculture, industry and renewable energy proving to be fundamental pillars for sustainable development.
'Our interest, above all, is that these actions contribute, in fact, to the constant improvement of the living conditions of citizens, to the reduction of inequalities and social inclusion, to the protection of the most fragile and disadvantaged, children, women, the elderly, the sick and disabled.
For this reason, João Lourenço expresses in his message, the fight against poverty, unemployment and social inequality remains a priority.
Regarding the Social Inclusion program, the message stresses that it has had a direct impact on the most vulnerable communities and that several measures have been adopted to improve access to health, education and basic services throughout the national territory.
In order for all these purposes to be effectively and lastingly realized, it draws attention to the indispensable active and civic participation of all citizens, especially youth, strength and guarantee of the future, and women, who have always had and continue to gain a strong role in society.
According to the President of the Republic, this date appeals, above all, to the renewal of hopes and the strengthening of ties between all Angolans in the strengthening of peace and national unity hard-won.
'We hope that, as far as possible, everyone can celebrate this date in an atmosphere of celebration, joy, but also responsibility, avoiding excesses, so I appeal to the competent authorities to know how to maintain peace, order, security and tranquility of families and communities', he augurs.
In another part of his message, he recalled that, in a few days, the year 2024 will be entered, the year in which Angola and Angolans celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Independence, an event of relevant importance in the history of the struggle against colonization, slavery and foreign domination, in the history of building a sovereign, free and independent country.
To this end, he recalled that a broad program of commemorations has been designed that will have the participation of all Angolans, which includes all kinds of political, cultural, academic, scientific, religious activities, inaugurations with decorations of citizens, who in that period distinguished themselves in various areas of national life.
Pardon
As part of the 50th anniversary of National Independence, in the coming days, he announced that he will pardon a certain number of convicted citizens serving sentences in prisons, an act that will happen again throughout the year, on dates to be determined.
Comfort for patients
The President of the Republic also addressed a word of comfort to bedridden patients, citizens serving sentences in prisons, doctors, nurses and other health workers, on shift duty, firefighters, crews and aviation and navy teams, rig workers and others who, due to duty of office, will be deprived of enjoying the Christmas with the family. ART/DOJ
