Baroness Lynda Chalker, British Adviser on Africa and Development, on Wednesday praised Ghana's investment opportunities and the enabling environment created for private sector growth.

She said: "The conducive atmosphere created by pragmatic democratic growth, positive economic policies and concentration on the private sector growth is the best in the sub-region."

Baroness Chalker said this during a courtesy call on the outgoing Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Kwamena Bartels and his nominated successor, Mr Yaw Barimah in Accra.

She said a South African commercial company, Group Five, has expressed interest in investing in the country, especially in low cost housing, and develop partnership with other private sector operators.

Mr Bartels said the government has acquired about 20,000 acres of land in Accra to build 15,000 low cost housing units for professional organisations to reduce the brain drain.

He also stressed the commitment of government to the completion of the Ghana/Togo water project within its first term in office.

He said the project is would be completed within 18 to 24 months, which would benefit about 50 to 60 communities between Dabala Junction and Lome, Togo.

Mr Bartels said the project would reduce water borne diseases in the area, the level of poverty and enhance the livelihood of women and children.

He suggested the participation of the private sector in the production of Aluminium Sulphate for water treatment in the country.

Mr Bartels called for private sector assistance to add value to gold, cocoa and other agricultural products to enhance their quality and prices on the international market.