Minister tells artisans to venture into automobile manufacturing

Kumasi, May 14, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has challenged artisans at the Suame Magazine to show more ingenuity and venture into automobile manufacturing. He told them that it was not enough to perfect in fixing broken down engines, repair and servicing of vehicles but that they should seriously aim at inventing their own models.

Mr Boafo was interacting with the executive of the Dynamic Spare Parts Dealers Association at his office in Kumasi on Friday. He, however, noted that to get to that stage, they would have to pool their resources to build the needed capital. The Regional Minister said it was about time Ghanaians took advantage of the country's present economic stability and moved into real production. He pointed out that it was by doing this that they would be helping to propel the economy and make it become more vibrant.

Reacting to concerns raised by the executive about the slow pace at which work was progressing on the construction of an access road at the magazine, Mr Boafo said, he would ensure that the contractors complete the job early. He said funds for the road had already been secured and that the contractors had no excuse to delay the project.

Mr George Amankwaah, Chairman of the association, appealed to the Regional Minister to help get the Department of Urban Roads to expand a bridge on the Maakro-Tafo-Suame road to check frequent flooding on that section of the road. Such floods, according to him, normally cause extensive damage to the workshops of the fitters and the spare parts dealers. The association presented a painting of Mr Boafo's portrait to him saying it was in recognition of his efforts at ensuring peace in the region.