Fidelity Bank plays host to Singaporean Investment mission

Accra, May 1, GNA - Fidelity Bank, a leading bank in the country, has played host to a Singaporean delegation in the country to explore investment opportunities in the development and planning of the country's cities.

The mission done in partnership with Asia Africa Partners seeks to explore ways in which Ghanaian city authorities could leverage on the experience of Singapore in planning and building sustainable and livable cities.

=A0 The forum on the theme: 93Towards Building a sustainable and Livable and competitive Global City," attracted planners, architects and members of the financial industry.

=A0 Speaking at the forum, Mr Edward Effah, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, called on government to seek ways of partnership with all stakeholders and professionals to bring their expertise to bear in the planning and development of the country's cities. He said the bank would continue to be at the forefront to ensure that such effective collaboration among the different stakeholders was forged to deliver services to transform the lives of the people. In a presentation on his behalf, Mr Alfred Vanderpiuje, the Mayor of Accra, said development of drains to improve water flow and reduce the incident of flooding was a key priority of the Assembly. There are also plans, he said, to improved the traffic situation in the city through a new synchronise traffic management system and high speed monorail as well as interchanges to ease transportation in the city.

=A0 Mr Vanderpuije said the AMA was also dealing with the liquid waste situation through resuscitation of the six damaged pumps and was in the process of getting an Environmental Impact Assessment report to close down lavender hill.

=A0 Professor Liu Thai Ker, Director of RSP Architects Planners and Engineers, one of the largest and established architectural and engineering professional practices in Singapore, said key to the success of any city development programme hinged on government policy and a clear and unambiguous vision of what was needed. =A0 In addition, he said, any planning must take into consideration long-term conditions and preservation of the environment and historical sites.

=A0 Prof Ker said there must also be constant upgrading of facilities to ensure that development did not lag behind the times. He suggested to city authorities to consider a plan that would connect the three cities of Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi as one instead of adopting different approaches in enhancing and building facilities. Mr Paul Victor Obeng, Chairman National Development Planning Commission, said long-term planning was important for the success of sustainable livable cities.

He expressed the hope that the knowledge and experience shared by the Singaporean team would go a long way to help to shape Ghana's city authorities vision in transforming the country's cities. =A0 Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communication, asked the team to explore investment opportunities in the housing and=A0communications sectors.