Tailors and dressmakers appeal to government

Wa, Aug. 28, GNA - The Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association (GNTDA) at the weekend appealed to the government to expedite action on the promise to assist its members with flexible loans and working equipment to create more job opportunities for the youth. They have also called on the government to strictly adhere to the call for workers to wear traditional dresses and made in Ghana goods to promote locally made goods within and outside the country. Reverend Jonathan Akwanda, National Vice-chairman of the association made the appeals at Wa on Saturday, during the 14th Biennial Conference of GNTDA.

He said although the Ministry of Women and children's Affairs last October launched a programme to assist members of the association, nothing practical had been achieved.

"Again, in October last year, the Women Affairs Ministry introduced us to a scheme of flexible loans and working tools intended to support our members and apprentices. The scheme was launched in Accra amidst fanfare and publicity with pictures of some of the sewing machines. But as we speak today, this scheme, which looked so attractive has not taken off, despite several follow-ups".

Reverend Akwanda decried the 400 per cent increment initiated by Internal Revenue Service without consulting them during the increment. "Whilst we accepted this new system, we drew their attention to the excessive nature of the increases, which is over 400 per cent and the fact that IRS did not involve us".

Mr Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister said the government had instituted measures that would create a congenial atmosphere for the private sector to flourish.

He said apart from granting loans and micro facilities for groups and individual business enterprises, the government was also training most of the unemployed youth in various vocations to become useful citizens in future.

"In this region for instance, the Regional Technology Transfer Centre has within the last two years, trained over 400 people in various vocations and some of these trainees are doing quite well". Mr Iddrisu Issahaque, Upper West Vice-chairman of GNTDA said apart from educating their members on the need to honour their tax obligations, members also educate each other on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country.