Accra, Feb. 5, GNA- Government has given an assurance to assist foreign investors and maintain partnerships with firms to give of their best to national economic growth. President John Evans Atta Mills said Government would make sure credible companies were well-maintained to provide jobs for Ghanaians from the investments they had made. The President gave the assurance when a delegation from the Company, led by the British High Commissioner in Accra, Nicholas Westcott paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu in Accra. The delegation congratulated Prof. Atta Mills on his assumption of office as President of Ghana.

President Atta Mills, recalled with excitement his days at Achimota School, where he was hosted at the Cadbury House, and praised the assistance of the Company in the provision of scholarships and other forms of assistance to the school as well as other areas of national development.

The President commended the Company, and reiterated that Government's readiness to accord the company the necessary support to promote the growth of the national economy. Mr Todd Stitzer, Chief Executive Officer, traced the relationship between Ghana and Cadbury to the last 100 years and announced that the Company would be celebrating it centenary this month. Mr Stitzer said the Company last year launched the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, a 45-million dollar initiative to secure the economic, social and environmental sustainability of farmers and their communities in Ghana, India, Indonesia and the Caribbean. In Ghana, the Partnership is investing 30 million dollars over the next ten years to secure the future of cocoa farmers and their communities.

Already, the Partnership is active in 100 Ghanaian communities, which have identified their main development needs, including the construction of new school buildings or forming Cocoa Youth Clubs to encourage the next generation to remain with agriculture, particularly cocoa farming.

The CEO commended the quality of Ghana's cocoa. Meanwhile the Executive of the Association of Private Lotto Operators, at an interaction press with the President and the Press, called for a review of the laws banning private lotto operators in the country. Mr. Ato Conduah, a consultant to the Association, specifically called a repeal of sections 35 and 41 of the National Lotteries Act. 05 Feb. 09