Government committed to rural development - Edumadzi

Mr Isaac Edumadzi, Central Regional Minister, on Sunday said the government was committed to rural development to raise standard of living of the people and was exploring all avenues to secure funding to support private sector to boost the economy.

Speaking at the graduation of 31 batik tie and dye trainers at Agona Abodom, he said the government inherited a shattered economy.

He said it would take at least four years for the people to start feeling the impact of government's efforts.

The government would continue to tell the truth to the people. He said adding that, "it can not conjure magic within two and half years to reverse the devastated economy left behind by the previous government".

Mr Edunadzi called on the people not to take the statement by the National Democratic Congress flag bearer, Professor Attah Mills, that that the NPP had made life unbearable for the people seriously since the legacy the previous government left "is nothing to write about after leaving office in 2000".

He said the increment in petroleum prices by the government was to halt the "50 billion cedis monthly debt that the government was incurring from borrowing from the Ghana Commercial Bank for the importation of crude oil and the service of 3.4 trillion cedis debt owned by the Tema Oil Refinery".

Mr Edumadzi said, "the NDC ruled the country for eight years and 12 by the PNDC but due to their bad policies and programmes they could not find lasting solution to the economic hardship people faced".

The Regional Minister urged Ghanaians to exercise restraint while the government put in place sound economic policies to free the nation from its present predicament.

Madam Theresa Ameley Tagoe, Deputy Minster for Land and Forestry, said the government had secured a loan under the Social Investment Fund (SIF) for groups of five to 11,000 dollars credit to purchase machines for food processing.

She said Ministry of Food and Agriculture had also sourced loans for poultry, rabbit and livestock farmers to expand their farms.

Madam Tagoe who is also MP for Ablekuma South said the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI) would provide funds for batik tie and dye production.

She gave the assurance that government would continue to support people with skills to establish economic ventures.

Ms Margaret Haizel, Head of the Centre, appealed to the government and Non Governmental Organisations for financial assistance for women and school dropouts in rural areas to acquire skills.

She asked District Assemblies to use part of their common fund and other investment funds to support women who had acquired skills to establish businesses.