Kotoka Airport records growth in non-traditional exports
Major customers owe Telecom 26.18 billion cedis
Accra (Greater Accra) 13 August 2001
Non-traditional exports through the cargo village at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) have been recording steady growth since 1995.
Imports, through the same route, however, have slowed down considerably over the past three years.
Pineapples account for about 60 per cent of exports through KIA, while yams, vegetables and handicrafts make up 35 and five percent respectively.
Statistics available to the Ghana News Agency show that 25,301 tonnes of the items were exported in 1998; 29,880 in 1999 and 32,379 tonnes last year.
Commodities exported from January 1998 to July 2001 stood at 64,071 tonnes.
Mr Maxwell Arthur, Director, Corporate Planning, of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority said there was a drop in exports in the first half of this year, as against the same period last year. This he said was due to a slow down of economic activity in the country and the temporary ban on yam exports.
He also mentioned the rather stiff competition from the export of similar products on the world market from the Caribbean, saying, "this really hit our drive."
Mr Arthur was quick to add that business is likely to pick up by September.
An official of African Ground Operations (AFGO), said the demand for pineapples is now on a daily basis, unlike previously when such exports were seasonal.
The survival of the aviation industry depends largely on the economic well being of the country, he said adding, " there is a correlation between Gross Domestic Product and exports especially through KIA”.
In 1999 imports recorded 16,877 tonnes while in 2000 it was 14,447 tonnes.
He said imports are expected to increase by December, when traders and importers bring in goods for the Yuletide.
Estimated revenue accruing from exports and imports through AFGO in 2000 was 8.3 million dollars, while that of the first half of this year stands at 3.7 million dollars.
GRi../
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Kumasi (Ashati Region) 13 August 2001
The Office of former President Jerry John Rawlings owed Ghana Telecom 5.2 billion cedis, Professor S. K. B. Asante, Chairman of the reconstituted Board of Directors of the company said on Friday.
Professor Asante told a meeting of the Board, Regional and Sectional Heads of the company in the northern sector in Kumasi that the company has to devise strategies to recover about 26.18 billion cedis its major customers owed as at March 31.
Government Ministries are indebted to the company to the tune of 2.5 billion cedis, Diplomatic Missions owe 583 million cedis, media houses and construction companies, 1.3 billion cedis, Security Services, 11.4 billion cedis and the Ghana Post 1.71 billion cedis.
He said the Company would extend its "ONE Touch" services to Tamale by the end of August, while Bolgatanga and Wa would have their turn by December.
Mr Y. M. Adjah, Ashanti Regional Head of Ghana Telecom, said 16 out of the
18 districts in the region have telephone facilities.
He said the only two districts Amansie West and Adansi East and parts of
Bosumtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma, which have not yet been served would soon be covered as feasibility studies on extension of service to those areas had already been completed.
Mr S. K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, called on Ghana Telecom to explore ways of reducing the cost of its services and to repair all faulty lines in order to make telephone services more affordable and accessible to the average Ghanaian.
He stressed the need for Telecom to focus on customer satisfaction.
GRi../
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