Govt to use infrastructure to make middle income status practical-Veep

Accra, Feb. 22, GNA- Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Mahama said on Tuesday that government would invest in infrastructural development to practically transform Ghana into a middle income nation. He said theoretically, Ghana had gained an income nation status, but there was the need for massive infrastructural development in roads, railways, potable water, quality education and affordable accommodation to transform the theory into practical terms.

Vice President Mahama was speaking when a 24-member Indian business delegation called on him at the Osu Castle. The delegation who are members of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Trade and Industry are made up of experts in banking, gold, bauxite and iron ore exploration, oil and Gas and exports. They are in the country to explore investment opportunities and to tighten trade relations with Ghana.

The Vice President said Ghana would also increase her investment in Agriculture under the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority project to solve domestic and external food deficits in the coming years. Vice President Mahama therefore encouraged the delegation to take up the opportunity in the investment deficits in textiles, ginneries, irrigation and rice farming to boost the agricultural agenda of the government. He promised that government would continue to provide an enabling environment for investment by abiding by the ethics of democracy, rule of law and good governance. "We will also continue to encourage our neighbouring countries to ado= pt democracy, good governance and rule of law to ensure that perpetual peace prevailed in the sub-region." Mrs Rucchi Ghanashyam, Indian High Commissioner, who led the delegation= , said members had held meetings and bilateral discussions with their Ghanaia= n counterparts and very soon action would be taken on the encounter. She promised to use trade as the major tools to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.