GRi BEF News Ghana
08 - 10 - 2001
Finance
Minister heads delegation for talks in Germany, Holland
Nutekpor-Agorta
(Volta Region) 08 October 2001 - Major Courage Quashigah (rtd),
Minister of
Food and Agriculture on Saturday said that pineapple exports in the country has
increased from 9,000 in 1992 to 35,000 metric tonnes as at last year.
He
attributed the remarkable upward trend of the exportation of the commodity to
the hard work and initiative of private companies, institutions and farmers.
Commissioning
a 1.5 million -dollar Tongu Fruits Ghana Limited at Nutekpor-Agorta in the
South-Tongu district, under the Free Zone Board programme, Major Quashigah
said: "The efforts of these key stakeholders have culminated in increases
in the production and earnings from horticultural crops, particularly,
pineapples," he said.
The
project, which is being supported by the government of the Netherlands's
Programme for Co-operation with Emerging Markets, assists countries in
transition towards sustainable market-oriented economy through the promotion of
private investment.
It was
established about two years ago and has built a fruits processing factory and
cultivated a 125-hectare pineapple farm, which is currently exporting 10 tonnes
of processed fruits a week and this is expected to double by the end of this
year.
Projections
for the company indicate that it would process at least 40 tonnes of pineapple
and 30 tonnes of watermelon for export on weekly basis from next year when the
farm is expected to be expanded to 700 hectares.
Exports
would then increase to 100 tonnes a week within the next three years and employ
offer employment to 1,000 people.
Major
Quashigah said with the introduction of an out-grower scheme by his ministry
for local farmers, the project should be regarded as a test model of the people
of the area, adding that he was optimistic that the project would succeed in
attracting private investment into the rural communities.
The
Minister assured the management of the company that his ministry would
facilitate the out-grower scheme to enable it create jobs, establish a ready
market and processing facilities for export to add value to pineapple.
Major
Quashigah said the project was being undertaken at a time when the need to
diversify the agricultural base of the economy has become relevant.
The Minister, therefore, reminded the
management that the European food industry was under-going radical structural
changes resulting in a total shift of power from primary producers and
suppliers of goods into the hands of supermarket operators.
Kwasi
Owusu-Yeaboa, Volta regional Minister who represented President J.A Kufour said
in pursuit of assisting the private sector in industry, trade and commerce to
become an engine of growth and development, state involvement in business and
economic activities was being de-emphasised for the provision of basic and
crucial social services such as health and education.
He said the
government would continue to provide infrastructure, including roads and
telecommunication to create an enabling environment for private investment and
enterprise.
Ken
Dzirash, Member of Parliament (MP) for the area under whose initiative the
project was established, said about 80 per cent of land of the Aveyime Quality
Grains Rice project is in his constituency and expressed regret that the
project has been saddled with litigation.
He
expressed hope that the matter would be resolved soon to enhance the
development of his constituency, since he has pledged that his tenure as M.P
for the area would be rewarding to the people.
Mr. Den
Heiger, Chief Executive Officer of the company thanked the government and the
people of the area for making it possible for the project to take off.
This is a
proof of the cordial relations between Holland and the people of Ghana, he
said.
GRi../
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Accra
(Greater Accra) 08 October 2001 - Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance left
Accra on Sunday at the head of a six-member government delegation to Bonn to
attend this year's Economic Development and Co-operation conference between
Ghana and
Germany
from October 9 to 12.
Other
members were Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, Special Assistant to the minister, Griffith
Danso Apatu and Mr Ransford Asiedu-Danquah both of the Ministry of Finance, Mr
J. L. Lamptey, Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Roads and Highways and Mrs
Levina Owusu, Project Director at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural
Development.
A statement
in Accra on Monday said the conference would discuss on-going projects and
programmes that may require additional financing and funds for proposed
projects and problems associated with their implementation.
From
Germany, Osafo-Maafo will proceed to Amsterdam, Holland to participate in a
meeting of selected African Finance and Economic Planning Ministers being held
at the instance of Mr Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General and Dr K Amoako,
Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa.
The meeting
will look at plans and strategies for effective poverty reduction and the
increased participation of Africa in the global economy as well as the
"the importance of mutual accountability for effective international
development partnership in Africa".
GRi../
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