Sekondi, June 3,-GNA-Mr. Philip K. Nkrumah, Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) has conceded that there was the need for the various district assemblies to be involved in the fee fixing resolutions. He said the assemblies cannot continually ignore the identifiable groups and must work hard to explain all development policies and issues with them, for easy implementation. Mr. Nkrumah said these at a meeting with the National Executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Executive Committee of the assembly at Sekondi on Tuesday.

The meeting was to brief the STMA on a survey on fee fixing resolution processes conducted by the KAB governance Consult for the GJA. Mr. Nkrumah pledged to work and ensure that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) were properly consulted in any fee fixing activities. He however said a major challenge facing the assembly was the confusion within the SMEs.

Mr. Nkrumah said whereas the assembly had tried to meet with the leadership of the SMEs, the assembly had been accused of working with persons who did not represent the interests of SMEs in the metropolis. Mr. Kwesi Afriyie-Badu, Chief Executive Officer of KAB Governance Consult said the STMA could overcome its challenges with the SMEs by updating its data on them.

He said the Business Advisory Centres (BAC) could assist the assembly in compiling an updated database of SMEs in the metropolis. Mr. Afriyie-Badu, said the non-gazetting of fees before its implementation, was illegal and asked the STMA to follow laid down procedures in reviewing rates and fees.

He said the district, metropolitan and municipal assemblies, should find alternative ways of disseminating new rates and fees with trade associations and their respective leaders. Mr. Afriyie-Badu said both the STMA and the business associations including the SMEs could sign a memoranda of understanding and clarify responsibilities and obligations of both parties. Mr. Bright Blewu, General Secretary of the GJA, who led the four-member delegation, said dialogue was important for the success of any venture and urged the STMA to make it a priority, adding, "periodic engagement would prevent conflict and mistrust.

He said the media could also assist the SMEs by focusing on them and assisting them to develop and cautioned that, politics should not take over the entire reportage in the media. Mr. Blewu said the survey was aimed at finding solutions to the distressing challenges that confront the SMEs in the country.