Government to Reverse Over-reliance of Foreign Experts - Minister

Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong, Minister of Transport and Communications, on Thursday said the government would henceforth use the services of local engineers and consultancy firms rather than over-rely on the expensive services of foreign experts.

"Domestication of consultancy services will, therefore, be the policy of my ministry to promote greater participation of our people in the private sector," he said.

The Minister was speaking in an interview with the press after he had opened the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE), which is under the theme "Developing Ghana's Telecommunications Infrastructure for the 21st Century".

He said when engineers and consultants in Ghana are given the chance to undertake projects locally, it is cost-effective and makes way for a quicker transfer of technology.

"This will also encourage them to make their projects feasible and make them socially responsible for the services they render."

Mr Owusu-Adjapong said in the next 10 years, the government would ensure that a railway line is constructed from Accra to the North to enhance the quick transfer of goods and services.

He said plans are also far advanced to reintroduce the bus transportation system with bigger buses on the roads to make travelling less expensive.

The minister tasked the engineers to team up with other consultants and come up with workable recommendations to help the ministry achieve its aim.