Government to expand rural market

Kwasi Doi(Eastern Region) -- The government is addressing the major problem of expanding and improving access to rural market for traders to ensure unimpeded development in the rural areas.

As a first step towards the promotion of sustainable development, the government in collaboration with the private sector has established a Ghana Trade Centre, to facilitate trade.

Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development on Monday said these at a colourful durbar of chiefs and people to launch the Rural Development Week at Kwasi Doi near Nsawam.

He said government was encouraging the setting up of trade fairs and exhibitions centres in towns and villages through out the country. He said: "A Cottage and Village Industries Authority, a viable venture (as operating in India) is also being proposed for adaptation."

Baah-Wiredu said the week was instituted to sensitise Ghanaians on the focus and direction of government's rural development programme. He said it would also emphasise the role of rural communities in their development and to also mobilise private sector support for development.

Baah-Wiredu said government's efforts could ensure poverty alleviation, provision of housing, employment creation, and enhancing the living conditions of the rural people in generally. This year's week celebration, which would be marked between 11 – 16 November, was under the theme: "Rural Development - Key to National Development."

Baah-Wiredu explained that through the initiatives were aimed at expanding rural markets, it could support local and indigenous industries such as soap making, smock and kente weaving. He said: "Government was aware that neither meaningful development nor improvement could take place without expanding rural markets."

Baah-Wiredu reiterated government commitment in addressing all inadequacies and limitations in the provision of rural infrastructure to curb the rural-urban drift. He said a multi-sectoral approach involving all interested parties was been sought to ensure investment in the rural areas.

Baah-Wiredu said: "We have been encouraging Susu operation because we believe that an improved Susu system is to support and encourage rural saving and investment," he said. It is also to guarantee a sustainable investment flow that the government has set up the Rural Development Trust Fund, to mobilise funds for sustainable development.

The Minister said telecommunication was essential to development and expressed the hope that rural areas would be provided with telephones soon. Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah, Eastern Regional Minister said the setting aside of a week to highlight on rural development was a manifestation of government's decision to make rural development the cornerstone of governance.

He said the government's development programme was based on high values and fair principle of equitable distribution of resources. To mark the day, a non-flush Dry Sanitation System, known as Enviro-Loo Toilets and a Telephone booth for Kwasi Doi were commissioned.