‘Give local businesses contracts’

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area in the Western Region, has called on government to decentralize the award of contracts in the various sectors of the economy to local enterprises in order to promote their growth.

According to the chief, the practice whereby some government projects in the various regions and districts of the country were executed by contractors from the country’s capital, Accra was not proper since there were equally competent contractors in the regions.

“Decentralizing the award of contracts will not only promote the progress of local industries, but will help improve the living standards of the people since the profits will be invested in the local economy,” he added.

He stated that “I learnt most of the people contracted to work on the expansion project at the Takoradi Habour were from Accra; meanwhile, we have people in Sekondi-Takoradi who are capable of executing the said jobs.”

Omanhene of Essikado stated this at the official opening of an office complex for the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce in Takoradi.

Nana Nketsia indicated that even though businesses were currently facing many difficulties, the Chamber should be tough and lead in the fight to create the needed environment for local businesses to thrive.

Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso I, National President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, explained that the association consisted of business operators, firms and industries with interests spanning every sector of private enterprise in Ghana.

He indicated that as an advocacy organization, the Chamber was established with the prime objective of promoting industrial and commercial interests in the country.

Stephane Miezan, Western Regional Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, mentioned that his outfit was poised to build the capacity of members of the business association to enable them expand their businesses.

He indicated that the expansion of the private sector would invariably led to the creation of thousands of jobs for many jobless youth, adding “but without strong capacity building, many of our members will remain where they are and the potential of job creation would be affected.

He noted that available statistics indicated that between 2013 and 2015, about 5,000 businesses were registered.

“If we are able to build the capacity of these establishments they will stand the chance of creating many jobs,” he added.