A US based offshore facility which was incorporated in Ghana in July 2000, last Wednesday held a public presentation at the Premier Towers building in Accra. Present at the ceremony were the Minister of Education Prof. Ameyaw- Akumfi, the Minister of Manpower Development and Employment Mrs Cecilia Bannerman and the US Ambassador in Ghana Mrs. Kathryn Dee Robinson.

The US Ambassador in her address said \"I believe that this government senses the opportunity to build on the success of Ghana\'s peaceful transition and hope that it will work hard to capitalise on the positive attention Ghana is receiving from around the world.\"

ACS-BPS is a free zone company that deals in data processing currently processing medical and dental claims for Aetna Life Insurance Company in the US.

Ms Robinson said as Ghana garners a reputation as a bastion of peace and stability in West in West Africa, American business will grow increasingly in the economic opportunities to be found in Ghana.

\"Dedication to democracy, peaceful transitions power, rule of law will increasingly cause American business to look at what Ghana has to offer,\" Ms Robinson said.

She said as American businesses look at Ghana, many would be encouraged by what they find - the importance government places on a business climate that will promote growth of the private sector and the avowed objective of \'zero tolerance for corruption\'.

She said ACS-BPS Ghana venture demonstrates the possibilities of the global workplace in the information age, the opportunities for mutually beneficial private sector investment and economic dividends that can be reaped when a nation demonstrates devotion to peace and stability.

The Minister of Manpower Development and Employment, expressed the delight of the government at having such a hi-tech facility in Ghana. She disclosed that her Ministry would do all that it needs to create a technologically competent workforce that can be competitive in the fast developing world of IT.

Mr. John Richter, a Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry representing his Minister said, Ghana\'s vision is one of accelerated and sustained economic growth that provides equal opportunities for all.

\"We believe that a free enterprise economy is the surest guarantee of economic growth and prosperity and we are of the conviction that only a positive partnership between government and private sector can deliver prosperity.\" He said government is aware of the challenges that globalisation and liberalisation pose adding that the phenomenon makes it imperative for Ghana to introduce even more dynamic programmes, to prepare the country to withstand the intensity for increasing world wide competition.

\"The Ghana Trade and Investment Gateway programme has been developed to position Ghana as a major investment destination in the sub-region, a very dynamic region of about 240 million people.\"

Mr. Tom Blodgett, President of ACS- BPS said Ghana was chosen as a location \"for the fact that we wanted a country that had a stable and willing government to support our operations.

\"We also needed a country that had the right technology and skills, and I am very pleased to say that after six months of operations, I can say the quality of work is tremendous.\"

ACS-BPS\' Accra office now employs 288 people and intends to hire 1,000 people by the fifth year of operation. The company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, was founded in 1983 and employs 9,000 people with an annual revenue of 180 million dollars.