General News of Wednesday, 14 August 2002

Source: gna

Gov't Would Accept Assistance in Infrastructure Dev. - JAK

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said government would accept partnership from any institution whose operations would be of mutual benefit to Ghana for the improvement of infrastructure.

He said areas to be covered in such assistance could include, roads, energy, communications, ports, railways and other sectors.

President Kufuor said this when a five-man delegation from General Electrics (Africa) paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

The company, established about 100 years ago and operating in 54 countries deals in the manufacturing and

leasing of aircrafts, supply of medical equipment, locomotive engines and power plants.

President Kufuor said the visit of the delegation from an institution that had experience in a variety of activities towards development to Ghana is opportune because the improvement of the country's infrastructure is one of the government's priority agenda.

Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Minister of Energy, urged the company, which offered assistance to the establishment of the Akosombo Dam and the Aboazde Thermal Plant, to assist in their operations for more efficient and effective distribution of power.

Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Minister of Trade and Industry, called for assistance to reactivate the operations of the Sanyo Company in Tema, which has been dormant for some years now.

Mr Parfait Jean-Marie Likibi, President of General Electrics (Africa), who led the delegation, said the Company has chosen to operate in Ghana because of the unique position of the country and its potentials for investment.

He said the delegation had already had discussions with the Ministries of Energy, Roads and Highways to assist in the reactivation of the operations of Ghana Airways and improvement in the road and energy sectors.