Danish Ambassador visits Upper East Region

Bolgatanga (Upper East) 8th July '99

The Danish Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Ole Blicher Olsen, has said his country would continue to assist Ghana in her efforts to boost private sector growth.

Speaking in Bolgatanga during a courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana the envoy underscored the importance of small businesses in the economic development of a nation.

He said for the past 150 years, Denmark has worked towards the consolidation of its economic development and would be glad to share its experiences with Ghana.

He disclosed that since 1991, his embassy has disbursed 33 million dollars or approximately 82.5 billion cedis for the funding of various development projects throughout Ghana.

Mr Olsen said the Danish Mission in Ghana is committed to the establishment of a healthy partnership between small Ghanaian businesses and their counterparts in Denmark.

He praised the government of Ghana for maintaining a peaceful environment, which, he said, was essential for attracting foreign investment.

Welcoming the Ambassdor, Alhaji Sulemana said deforestation and environmental degradation constitute one of the major problems confronting the region.

He mentioned over population, food shortage and inadequate facilities for the health and educational sectors as other areas of difficulty, adding that any external assistance that would help to mitigate the present situation would be very much appreciated.

The Regional Minister said government has invested a great amount of resources particularly in the educational and health sectors over the years, but that the region is a distressed area that requires special intervention.

Dry season farming is a profitable venture for a vast majority of the area's population, he said and urged the ambassador to assist in the provision of water sources such as dugouts and small-scale dams.