Parliament Report House adopts report on Free Zones Board
Black Star Line ships fetch 11 million dollars
Parliament Report House adopts report on Free Zones Board
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Dec '99
Parliament on Thursday adopted the Ghana Free Zones Board 1998 Annual Report laid by the Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on.
The Ghana Free Zone Programme aims at promoting economic development by attracting Foreign Direct Investment into the country as well as stimulating local entrepreneurial activities.
Expected from this initiative are the expansion and diversification of Ghanaian exports, creation of employment for Ghanaians and injection of the much-needed foreign exchange into the economy.
The programme also sets the stage for the Private Sector to lead "in these endeavours, by making the entire activities private sector driven with (the) government only playing a facilitating role".
Also dove-tailed into this programme is the Gateway Project, which aims at making Ghana the economic entry point into the West African sub-region.
Mr. John Kofi Gyasi, NDC-Adansi Asokwa, Acting Chairman of the Committee, told the House that the main problems facing the programme are litigation over and title to land, inadequate government subvention, and the unavailability of reliable utility services.
He said apart from the Tema and Sekondi-Takoradi enclaves, many zoned areas have problems of litigation and securing appropriate land titles.
He blamed the situation on the non-payment of compensation to traditional landowners at the time of acquisition.
Citing the Fumesua In-land Port, as a typical example, the Acting Committee Chairman said it was informed by the sector Minister that a Committee has been set up to look into the matter, and that a solution would soon be found to the impasse.
He expressed concern about the unsatisfactory supply of utilities to companies in the Free Zone, saying, "whereas there have been delays in the provision of these services to some of the companies, others have also been experiencing unannounced interruptions".
Mr Gyasi said in an effort to solve the problems associated with approved Free Zones, certain measures must be introduced.
Among them, he said, landowners should be encouraged to own equity shares in the lands, while the Board should be adequately capitalised for effective performance.
The Board should also expedite action to ensure the provision of adequate and reliable utility services, while the Ministry of Finance is urged to show keen interest in the activities of the Board.
Mr Dan Abodakpi, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta, said 50 factories would soon be built in the Tema enclave of the Free Zone to promote industrial growth.
Other members who associated themselves with the report praised the Free Zone Programme as a "laudable one" and expressed the hope that when given the necessary commitment and support by all stakeholders, "the programme will play an important role in Ghana's investment drive".
They included Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, NPP-Manhyia, Mr Modestus Yawo Ahiable, NDC-Ketu North, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, NPP-Ejisu-Juaben, Mr Evans Kodjo Ahorsey, NDC-Ayensuano, Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, the Minority Leader and Member for Sunyani East, Mr Edward Salia, Minister of Roads and Transport and Alhaji Collins Dauda, NPP-Asutifi South.
GRi../
Black Star Line ships fetch 11 million dollars
Accra (Greater Accra) 10 Dec.'99
Two Black Star Line ships sold in 1994 raked in 11.1 million dollars when the National Shipping Line was divested.
Mr. Edward Salia, Minister of Roads and Transport, told a questioner in Parliament on Wednesday that "all seafarers engaged by co-operation have been duly compensated.
" Seafarers are usually employed on contract basis, and all entitlements are paid at the end of each contract of between six months and 12 months duration."
The questioner, Mrs Gladys Asmah, NPP-Takoradi, wanted to know what kind of rewards were given employees, especially, those who serve for longer periods.
He said employees, who were at post during the divestiture, were paid their benefits following the due process negotiated with them and the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC) with the advice of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
On roads, Mr. Salia said the ministry has plans to rehabilitate roads to facilitate the economic growth of the rural areas.
He mentioned the Agona Nyakrom-Kwaman-Bobikuma road as one of those programmed for spot improvement in 2000.
GRi../