Regional News of Thursday, 2 September 2004

Source: GNA

Assembly urged to facilitate rural enterprise dev't programme

Ajumako (C/R), Sept 2, GNA - Hajia Alima Mahama, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives on Wednesday, called on district assemblies in the country to submit copies of their economic development plans to the ministry to accelerate the rural Enterprises Development Programme.

She said under the programme, all district assemblies would be assisted to develop three commercially viable 'flagship' projects, which will generate a total of 330 business enterprises in rural communities over a three-year period.

Hajia Mahama made the call, when she briefed assembly members, heads of departments of Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District on the programme at Ajumako, she echoed government's determination to assist the assemblies to establish at least, three priority projects under the Rural Enterprises Development Programme under the President's Special Initiatives (PSIs).

She also called on the assemblies, to set up oversight committees to oversee, co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of the priority enterprise projects in their districts.

Hajia Mahama appealed to the assembly members to mobilize farmers and individuals in their various electorates to form a company and provide 5,000 hectares of land for a nursery project.

Mr Kenneth Obempong the district Chief Executive said the government attaches importance to the programme and appealed to the assembly members to embrace the programme.