Kwabre District assembly to embark on priority projects

Mamponteng (Ash), Sept. 9, GNA - The Kwabre District Assembly is to embark on three priority projects to transform economic activities in the District under the Rural Enterprises Development Programme (REDP). The projects are Kente/Adinkra weaving, woodcarving, poultry and quarry production.

This was the outcome of a meeting held between officials of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives (MOTI/PSI), heads of departments and executive committee members of the Assembly at Mamponteng.

Addressing the meeting Mr Lawrence Prempeh, a Special Advisor to the Minister, MOTI/PSI, said the 110 district assemblies under the programme would be assisted to develop three commercially viable and flagship projects.

This, he said, would generate 330 business enterprises in rural communities over a three-year period.

Mr Prempeh said the initiative is an attempt to deal with the severe poverty and under-development of rural communities by providing assistance for projects that help to develop more sustainable, diversified and enterprising rural economies and communities. Under the REDP, he said, while the assemblies would be required to acquire shares in the projects it was important that the District Enterprise Projects were seen as private, independent commercial activities rather than government projects.

"There is, therefore, the need to give the projects strong private sector orientation by attracting strategic investors from the private sector, either local or foreign. Strategic investors could either be individual entrepreneurs, corporate entities or banks."

Alhaji Ahmed Akwasi Yeboah, Kwabre District Chief Executive, said the District would soon be hooked to the Internet and that more would be done to improve the living conditions of the people in the District. He appealed to the Heads of Government Departments and the Assembly Members to work hard to accelerate the socio-economic development of the District and the early start of the projects.