Accra, Nov 5, GNA- Government is ready to work with all genuine and productive Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to accelerate the developmental needs of the rural communities, Mr Yaw Barimah, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment said on Wednesday.

Addressing the opening session of the World Vision Africa Directors Conference and Board Forum in Accra, Mr Barimah said the participation of the private sector and civil society organizations in the development of the country was critical since government alone could not shoulder the responsibility.

"Indeed, government has on many occasions explained that it cannot develop the country alone and has, therefore, welcomed the participation of the private sector, including civil societies in all aspects of development," the Minister said.

The conference brings together African Directors of the World Vision, an International Christian, Relief and Development organization, to share ideas on best practices and how to deepen their assistance as well as elect their representatives to serve on the World Vision International (WVI) Board.

Mr Barimah lauded the immense contributions of World Vision to the country's education, rehabilitation, food and agriculture, health and nutrition as well as in micro enterprise development, especially among women.

"By building community clinics, with health staff accommodation and medical supplies and equipment, World Vision has contributed immensely to health delivery," the Minister said.

The Minister commended the organisation for the vital role it had played in the provision of water through the Ghana Rural Water Project that spanned from 1986 to September 2003, which he said had helped tremendously in the fight against guinea worm infestation.

Mr Barimah said these achievements were made possible by the decentralisation policy of government, which ensures that district assemblies and other local government agencies supported the programmes. Besides, government support in the form of tax waivers on goods and services for development imported by NGOs had also aided the organization to fulfil its objectives.

Mr Wilfred Mlay, World Vision Vice President for Africa commended Ghana for the good leadership role, especially in the area of governance, on the continent that is ravaged by war.

He said World Vision is ready to liase with the Government in the work for economic emancipation to overcome poverty, disease and to ensure sustainable development at all fronts.

Mr Watt Santatiwat, Senior Vice President World Vision International, stressed the need for partnership between government and civil society organizations to be able to build better societies.

He said Africa has both material and human resources to be able to achieve sustainable development and come out of the degradation that currently plagued the continent.

World Vision works in nearly 100 countries worldwide to promote the well being of people, with a special focus on children. In Ghana, the organization started its work some 24 years ago and implements its programme in all the 10 administrative regions.