African-American business group calls on Mills
Akosombo Textiles bounces back in operation
African-American business group calls on Mills
Accra (Greater Accra) 9 March
The 16-member African-American business delegation currently on a fact-finding mission on Tuesday called on Vice-President John Atta Mills and expressed support for the country's investment drive.
The group, drawn from the larger National Black Masters of Business Administration (NBMBA) of United States and United Kingdom, arrived in Accra last Thursday as a follow-up to President Jerry Rawlings' trip to the U.S.
Its membership includes representatives of financial and banking institutions, export and import, education and literary programmes as well as air travel.
The Reverend Alfreddie Johnson, leader of the group, said since their arrival, the group has held forums with the respective sectors and partners, especially in the private sector, to explore areas of assistance.
Their main focus would be on supporting the educational system as the basic foundation for socio-economic development.
For instance, the group will be assisting some business schools in the country with material and human resources.
Besides attracting investment to Ghana, it is also the aim of the group to link the Black-American society to its roots in Africa, Rev Alfreddie said.
"We have realised the need to bring investment home and also boost the image of Africa."
Vice-President Mills told them to feel free to explore the country, particularly the countryside, for investment and development.
He was glad the group had earmarked the educational sector, saying education and agriculture are the prime areas in addition to road construction and health.
Prof. Mills lauded the willingness of members of the delegation to forge partnership with Ghanaians, especially the private sector which has been identified as the hub of the economy.
Government is creating an enabling environment and opportunities to promote the private sector to function effectively, the Vice-President said, citing the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) as a body set up to boost investment.
Government is determined to eliminate bottlenecks hampering private investment and the public sector is also being reformed to make it viable.
Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Chief Executive of the GIPC and Ms Barbara Ocansey, a Ghanaian businesswoman who is hosting members of the group, accompanied them to the Castle.
Akosombo Textiles bounces back in operation
Akosombo (Eastern Region), 9 March
The 1,000-strong work force of the Akosombo Textile Limited (ATL), will resume work tomorrow after a one-and-half month strike action to back their demand for increase in salaries and wages.
The appointment of 164 of the workers has been terminated for the roles they played in the strike action. The decision was based on the report of a committee that looked into the rampant locking up of members of management, and constant threats of industrial action by a section of the workers.
The affected workers are however, entitled to all benefits due to them, which are ready for collection.
As part of the recommendations of the committee, which was approved by the government, a durbar was held yesterday at the premises of the company to help strengthen the relationship between the management and the workers.
Addressing them, Mr Abraham Coomson, general secretary of the Textiles, Garment and Leather Employees Union (TCLEU) of Trades Union Congress, described the strike action as "uncalled for".
He said strikes should be planned in order not to bring discomfort to workers and their dependants. "It is unfortunate that some of the ATL local union members manipulated the situation to their advantage", he said.
Mr Emmanuel Dwamena-Bekoe, Asuogyaman District Chief Executive, warned that the government would not tolerate any act of lawlessness by workers since there are approved channels for seeking redress to problems.
Mr S.C. Woo, general manager of ATL, appealed to the workers to appreciate the constraints within which the company operates, especially against the background of the flood of cheap fabrics on the market, which has affected the sales of the company's products.
The company's workers embarked on a strike action on January 21, this year, to press home their demand for a 50 per cent salary increase as against the 25 per cent offered by management.
The management reacted by suspending production, leading to the setting up of the committee of enquiry at the instance of the government.