Expansion of economy necessary for democratic growth
GHACEM opens cement depot at Bolgatanga
Accra (Greater Accra) 14 May 2003 - The US Ambassador in Ghana on Tuesday said the expansion of the economy was necessary for democracy to take roots in the country.
Mrs Mary Carlyn Yates, who was speaking in Accra at a press briefing by a Trade and Investment Mission from New Jersey, said microeconomic reform must necessarily take place as a sure means of preserving democracy.
She said this could be done through trade and reform, which must take place through the sale of some parastatals, since government's role in running business was no longer attractive.
She noted that state-owned companies were not a way of the future, adding that the US was pursuing avenues to facilitate the increased participation of the private sector in the national economy.
Mrs Yates said the US would work closely with the Ghana government to bring about increased development of the private sector thus making the lives of Ghanaians more bearable and enjoyable.
“This we are doing through the USAID, which has put about $50m into Ghana's economy and other institutions in the last decade. We would continue to encourage trade missions into Ghana and by this bring change and hope to Ghanaians."
William D. Watley, Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission, said the team of 25 had found keen interest in Ghana's free market economy and successful democratic reforms.
"We are interested in the healthcare, transportation and telecommunications as priority areas." He said the team was also interested in exploring opportunities in the area of mining and construction equipment, environmental services, security and safety equipment.
Other areas were port management and development, power and electricity generation.
New Jersey is reputed for having the world's most innovative and highest quality pharmaceutical and medical technology plants. Delegation members are holding a one-on-one sessions with their Ghanaian partners under the auspices of the American Chamber of Commerce.
The New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission would be in the country from 10-14 May and would meet Ghanaian partners to develop common grounds of cooperation.
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GHACEM opens cement depot at Bolgatanga
Bolgatanga (Upper East) 14 May 2003 - Mahami Salifu, Upper East Regional
Minister, on Tuesday warned that his office would no longer tolerate contractors who use shortage of cement as an excuse to delay in the completion of government projects in the region.
Salifu gave the warning when he commissioned a new depot opened by the Ghana Cement Company Limited (GHACEM) in Bolgatanga. "With the commissioning of this depot cement distributors will no longer have to travel long distances to cart cement to the region for sale to estate developers and contractors."
He called on GHACEM to blacklist any local cement distributor who would indulge in acts inimical to the realization of the purpose for which the depot was established.
The Regional Minister commended the company for being responsive to its social responsibility as demonstrated through the GHACEM Cement Foundation. He appealed to other manufacturers such as the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and ALUWORKS to emulate GHACEM by decentralizing the distribution of roofing sheets and iron rods to the region.
The Marketing Director of GHACEM, Mr George Dawson-Ahmoah, said his company's primary objective for opening the Bolgatanga Depot was to eliminate black marketing in the region by bringing the commodity at the doorstep of the people.
He said this year, the company had earmarked 26,000 bags of cement valued at about ¢1bn for free distribution among beneficiaries of the GHACEM Cement Foundation. Dawson-Ahmoah urged distributors and other stakeholders in the region to ensure that black marketers did not gain grounds on the cement market.
"Instead, every effort should be made to minimize or kill their influence completely for the benefit of the people of the region." Chief Superintendent Bernard Dery, Regional Police Commander, said cement sent to the regional depot was meant solely for local use and not to be transported across the border into other countries.
He warned that any person caught smuggling the commodity out of the region would be severely dealt with.
GRi…/
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