President:"Job creation to centre on natural resources"

President John Dramani Mahama on Monday gave the assurance that his administration's bid to create more jobs for teeming youth in the country would be centred on harnessing natural resources.

He said: " Recently in my address at the United Nations a few weeks ago, I stated that Ghana's bid to create more jobs will only succeed if we make maximum use of the natural resources available which cocoa is one."

President Mahama said this when he addressed workers of Cargill Ghana Limited, a cocoa processing Company, during their 5th Anniversary celebrations in Tema in the Greater Accra Region.

Cargill Ghana limited was established in 1865 and started operations in Ghana 40 years ago and started the processing of cocoa beans five years ago. It operates in 63countries.

Also in attendance was former President John Agyekum Kufuor. President Mahama said apart from ensuring that companies such as Cargill Ghana Limited made maximum use of the commodity, the government was also in talks with COCOBOD to avail more cocoa beans for domestic production and consumption in the coming years.

He said Cargil's decision to invest 0 million in cocoa processing in Ghana was a demonstration of investor confidence in Ghana and called on other organisations to invest without fear as the economy was congenial enough for business.

President Mahama said Companies such as Cargill had the potential of creating an enabling business environment for others to follow and to make Ghana the hub of domestic processing in the continent and beyond.

The President said the government would continue to commit consistent support to farmers to come out with the best beans for domestic production and for export by providing the necessary subsidies that would facilitate and increase production.

Mr Jos De Loor, Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate Business Unit Leader, commended the government of Ghana for supporting them to achieve some of their business goals in the country.

He gave the assurance that their core business would continue to centre on supporting cocoa farmers to come out with the best cocoa beans for both domestic consumption and export.

He commended former President Kufuor and President Mahama for their tremendous support towards the development and growth of the company to its current level.