Takoradi (Western Region) 14 July '99
Vice-President John Atta Mills on Tuesday called on prospective investors not to think only of their private gains but also the overall interest of the society.
" They (Investors) should have in mind what they can put back into the society in the form of improving the existing conditions of health, education, social services and sustainable employment opportunities. "
Professor Mills cautioned against " unnecessary competition and confrontation among investors especially between new investors and existing ones, citing the protracted case of Benso Oil Palm Plantation (BOPP) and the new emerging mining companies over arable land for surface mining.
The Vice-President was opening a two-day trade and investment conference for the Western Region at Takoradi, aimed at exposing investment potentials of the region.
The conference is on the theme: "The Western Region - the key to Ghana's economic development in the 21st Century ".
Pro Atta Mills urged the conference being attended by business concerns from the private and public sectors, policy planners, Chief executives and Chiefs to focus on human-centred strategies rather than only promoting private motives.
Professor Atta Mills reiterated government's determination to do all that is necessary to enable investors to take advantage of the vast potential resources of the Western Region.
In line with this, government had launched a study with the World Bank to design a strategy for the development of the region in the context of the national project for accelerated growth.
Government, Professor Mills said, is intensifying its role as a facilitator and creator of a conducive environment to boost the private sector through a suitable policy framework and the provision of infrastructure.
He identified a number of problems mostly the lack of social infrastructure like roads, utilities and inadequate educational and health facilities and said strenuous efforts were underway to address them.
Vice-President Mills said apart from the need to further develop the infrastructural base, there is the need for the development of complementary activities and services to assist the envisaged investment.
Mrs. Esther Lily Nkansah, Western Regional Minister, called on prospective investors, both foreign and local, to take advantage of the region's resources and rich endowments and invest without any apprehension.
She said the region has all the good things, which can turn over their investment and has friendly environment and an open door policy.
Over the last decade, conscious efforts have been made to change the unattractiveness of the region for economic growth and investment.
This turnaround, Mrs. Nkansah, said begins with the collaborative initiative taken by the government and the World Bank to undertake an in-depth study of the region five years ago.
Mrs. Nkansah said this positive development was further accelerated by the new investment climate, which has enabled a number of companies to invest in the region especially in the mining sector.
An exhibition of the potentials in the region in the area of wood products, mining, batik textiles, machinery, building materials and natural resources including oil and gas was organised as part of the conference.
