Kumasi (Ashanti Region), 12 Jan.,

Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, has denounced attempts by some political interest groups at drawing public attention to the condition of the Kumasi Shoe Factory. He said it was unfortunate that those groups should attack the government for inaction over the issue without bothering to find out from the regional political authority or sector ministry what efforts the government was making to revitalize the factory. These were contained in a press statement issued in Kumasi at the weekend. Nana Agyeman explained that the government, recognizing the immense economic importance of the factory, especially in providing employment for the youth, decided to defer its divestiture. "Accordingly, He said the government began negotiations to secure funds for its rehabilitation. Nana Agyeman recalled that sometime last year, He invited the Deputy Minister of Trade, Mr.. Dan Abodakpi, to join him to inspect facilities at the factory. During the inspection, he said the deputy minister gave the assurance that government would soon secure a credit facility to reactivate the factory. Nana Agyeman said a recent grant of 300,000 dollars by the CZECH republic for rehabilitation of the factory was a vindication of the government's good intentions towards recapitilising it.

Gri.