ASSI to demonstrate against tariffs increment

Mr Alfred Yaw Kissi, Eastern Regional Secretary of the Association of Small Scale Industries (ASSI), has announced that the group would demonstrate against the tariffs increment announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

He said if by two weeks the PURC fails to review the tariffs downward members would hit the streets. Mr Kissi made this known at the launch of an advocacy platform by the Journalists for Business Advocacy in Koforidua.

He urged the utility services in the country to make efforts to collect debts owed them by state and private corporate institutions. Mr Kissi expressed ASSI’s displeasure over the partisan approach being adopted in the award of contracts for the National School Feeding Programme.

He therefore called on the programme managers to include the services of trained caterers like members of the Traditional Caterers and Chop Bar Operators Association.

Mr Kissi asked the Municipal and District Assemblies in the region to create an artisans village for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to help promote their businesses.

Mrs Evelyn Agyarkwa, Regional President of Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, who doubles as Treasurer of ASSI, said increment in water and electricity tariffs is having negative effect on their businesses.