A three-day trade exhibition of technology transfer activities and achievements of small-scale enterprises in some districts in the Brong Ahafo region, has opened at Techiman.

The show is to provide marketing outlets and promote activities of small-scale enterprises to create wealth and reduce poverty.

The exhibition was organised by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Rural Enterprises Project (REP).

Mr Ernest Adubuor Debrah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, opened the exhibition and expressed concern about lack of co-ordinated efforts, of poverty alleviation programmes in most parts of the region.

He, therefore, called for a forum on investment and small-scale businesses to ensure that the various programmes were effectively co-ordinated for an efficient service delivery.

The Minister said the government is committed to sustainable rural development and it would pursue pragmatic policies and programmes to improve the economic and social wellbeing of the people.

He said the REP has been fashioned to fit into the decentralised planning and administrative system.

The activities of the project are, therefore, being fashioned into district assemblies' programmes to develop the necessary capacity and eventually own and operate the projects, he Minister added.

Mr Kwaku Attafuah, a special assistant to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) said the objective of rural development is to improve the standard of living of people in rural areas.He said rural dwellers are, therefore, involved in decision making process and its implementation.

Mr Attafuah said poverty, ignorance, disease and civic inertia were generally found in the rural areas.

He said the MLGRD is to establish a rural development unit as a means of enhancing poverty alleviation and the creation of employment opportunities in the rural areas.

The participating districts are Berekum, Nkoranza, Kintampo, Jamang, Tano, Wenchi Atebubu and Techiman.

Items displayed include cassava graters, rice millers, beads and clothing.