Government will support viable rural initiatives

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - The government will support any viable rural private initiative that aims to create employment and improve the standard of living of people in such communities, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said on Saturday.

In remarks made on his behalf by Mr Ralph Beckley, an official of the Ministry, Mr Osafo-Maafo said such rural enterprises would be encouraged in line with the government's policy to reduce poverty and ensure the rapid socio-economic development of deprived communities. The Minister was speaking during a visit to the project site of Monat Chemical Industries, to see at first hand progress of work on the construction of a lime factory, been undertaken by Crown Image Group, Ghana at Battor in the North Tongu District.

The 19-billion cedi project has an annual planned production capacity of about 52,000 tonnes and would provide employment for about 500 youth in the area.

The project is envisaged to save the country foreign exchange used to import hydrated lime for gold refinery and the production of paint. Mr Osafo-Maafo said the project has the potential to bring a lot of benefit to the community and the country since it would provide employment for the youth and help reduce the rural-urban drift.

He commended the project owners and assured them of government support.

The Chief Executive Officer of Crown Image Group, Barima Obour Asamani, said excessive rain in the area for the past month had delayed construction but expressed the hope that work would be completed on schedule.

The two-phase project includes a factory premises, a storage shed and an administrative office.

Torgbui Kumi IV, Divisional Chief of Battor Traditional Area, pledged the support and cooperation of the chiefs to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Clamshells, the raw material for the production of lime, abound in Battor and surrounding communities.