Accra, April 3 GNA-Mr. Obed Danquah, The Executive Chairman of the Association of Certified Entrepreneurs (ACE), has underscored the need for Ghanaians to pay special attention to entrepreneurial development for accelerated growth.

The lack of entrepreneurial abilities coupled with lack of negotiating skills, he said, had led to the collapse of most businesses. Mr. Danquah, founder of the ACE was speaking at the ACE'S Open Day during which the public interacted with the students, lecturers, court of governors and inspected facilities to know more about its "hands on training progranme".

ACE's programme, he explained had been designed to produce vigorous entrepreneurs equipped with entrepreneurial abilities that could bridge the gap that has led to the collapse of most businesses. He pointed out that what was important in business operation was not the capital per se but "strategic planning" which is lacking in most operations.

The Chief Executive suggested that students on industrial attachment must be made to apply what they have learnt otherwise they could not learn much to become creative or take initiatives. Mr. Michael Agyeku Addo, Chief Executive Officer of KAMA Health Service Limited, charged entrepreneurs to be brave and take courageous decisions in their daily operations.

He also harped on the need for them to always think around issues very fast on how they can always improve on existing facilities. Mrs. Esther Ofori, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Trade Fair Authority, who chaired the function advised ACE to include customer care in their programmes since it played an important role in any business set-up.

Knowledge of entrepreneurship Mrs. Ofori said would enhance business and therefore, praised ACE for the bold step it had taken in the training of businessmen to have entrepreneurial abilities. Earlier, Dr, Henry Akplu, a member of the ACE Court of Governors, pointed out that entrepreneurship has become a scientific issue requiring a careful understanding of modern day complexities. In an interview with the GNA, the General Manager Mr. K.A. Nuamah said that the courses are geared towards training people with skills to enhance their businesses.

For example, Mr Nuamah said, that the ACE could assist Traders affected by the recent Accra Metropolitan Assembly demolishing exercise with sound business advice.