Accra (Greater Accra)
18 September 2002- A three-member trade delegation from the Barnabas Mission in
the United States (US) on Tuesday met with members of the Ghana
Chamber of Commerce
and Industry in Accra to explore ways of enhancing trade in Ghanaian
handicrafts on the US market.
The Barnabas Mission,
which is a non-profit making organisation, is looking forward to networking
with crafts-men and other indigenous producers to create long-term opportunities
for export of baskets, carving, cloth and other materials in the US market.
Under the deal,
Ghanaian producers would export specific goods required by the Mission for a
fifty percent down payment and the rest of the amount to be settled after the
goods were sold.
Mr Ken Porter, the
Director of Mission said the basic idea was to combine evangelism with economic
development to ensure equitable economic development and enhance the work of
artists in the sub-region.
He expressed the hope
that through the sales, the Mission would be contributing directly to enhancing
the economic well being of the people as well as to expand on its charity work
in the country.
Mr Porter asked the
producers who would like to take advantage of the offer to improve on the
quality, saying this was important to ensure a guaranteed market.
Members of the Mission
would hold individual discussions with the entrepreneurs to discuss the
details.Mr Sal Amegavie, Executive Director of the Ghanaian Chamber asked
members to avail themselves of such opportunities to expand their business
activities.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra)
18 September 2002- Canada's Golden Star Resources Limited has completed the
acquisition of a 90 percent interest in the Wassa goldmine in Ghana, a company
source told Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Tuesday.
The source said Golden
Star had reached a further agreement with the syndicate of lenders on the
restructuring of arrangements for financing the acquisition.
The company will now
start a feasibility study and development programme at the site with exploration
already underway, the source added, quoting company President and Chief
Executive Officer Peter Bradford.
Golden Star holds a 90
percent equity interest in the Bogoso/Prestea open-pit gold mine and a 45
percent managing equity interest in the Prestea underground mine in Ghana.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra)
18 September 2002- Mr Antony Burgmans, Chairman of Unilever (NV) on Tuesday
pledged the company's technical support to President J A Kufuor's Special
Initiative on Oil Palm. The Initiative was inspired by his recent trip to
Malaysia where the produce is maximally utilised for industrial and domestic
use.
Mr Burgmans made the
commitment when he held discussions with Vice President Aliu Mahama on Ghana's
socio-economic development and Unilever's contribution to the process. Trade
Minister Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Information and Presidential Affairs Minister
Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey and Mr Ishmael Yamson, Chairman of Unilever Ghana were at
the meeting.
Mr Burgmans, who ends
his three-day visit to the country today, said the Company's extensive
experience in the plantation and use of oil palm would be shared with Ghana.
Unilever has plantations in Benso and Twifo, all in the Western Region.
The Chairman of the
Netherlands side of the Anglo-Dutch company accepted a proposal to Unilever to
technically assist local small-scale manufacturers to produce packaging
materials. Mr Burgmans said: "We have decided to limit the production of
packaging materials, but we have the technical know-how so we can build your
capacity to produce so that we can buy from you."
He said he was
impressed with the cooperation that had existed between Unilever and Ghana over
the years, saying the situation had contributed to the success of the company,
which now pays more than 200 billion cedis annually in taxes to the country.
Mr Burgmans encouraged
Ghana to pursue its democratic governance alongside strive for socio-economic
development. Vice President Mahama lauded the Company's firm belief in social
responsibility, saying its contribution to education and manpower development
was worthy of emulation.
He called for
partnership to promote peace and stability, poverty reduction, education and
agricultural growth under the NEPAD programme. Vice President Mahama said Ghana
wanted to put its economy on track, create jobs and prosperity for its people,
adding that it needed Foreign Direct Investment to succeed. Mr Jake
Obetsebi-Lamptey urged Unilever to use its connections in international
business to link Ghana up with major investors.
GRi…/
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