Accra, July 27, GNA - The Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI) has initiated moves to set up a training centre to help to build the skills of industry employees.

The Ghana Industrial Skill Development Centre located at the Tema Technical Institute (TTI) would run sandwich programmes for industry employees to enable them to build on their competencies and acquire new skills.

The Dutch Government is committing about 200,000 Euros to the project while AGI member companies in Tema are putting up a total of 100,000 Euros towards the implementation of the programme. Mr Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, President of the AGI, made this known at an interactive luncheon in Accra with past presidents and regional executives of the Association on Thursday.

The aim of the meeting was to tap from the rich experiences of the past presidents in a bid to ensure the sustainable growth of the industrial sector.

Mr Oteng-Gyasi said the AGI recognised the importance of technical and vocational training to the development of the industrial sector and was committed to assist in that direction.

Dr Kobina Richardson, an industrialist and a former President of the Association, said Ghanaian industries were at the crossroads and urgent action was required if they were to play their catalytic role in the country's development.

He said the provision of financing to Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises was still a problem due to the high interest rate and cost of finance adding that programmes targeted at addressing the problem must be done in a coordinated manner to ensure success. Dr Richardson suggested as a first step a holistic appreciation of factors militating against enterprises at the micro-level. This, the Association could do by making use of the sub-sector chairmen of the AGI.

Dr Justice Anderson, another past President, said all the plans being drawn up to move the country forward must be knitted to ensure growth.

He suggested joint ventures as practical ways through which the funding needs of SMEs could be met. Mrs Elizabeth Joyce Villars, another past President, called for regular dialogue between the AGI and the Ghana Bankers' Association on the funding needs of industry.