The Volta Regional branch of the Ghana Journalists Association has held a day’s business session with Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister and the Regional Economic team over the growth of local industries in the Region.

The business meeting followed visits to some distressed but viable companies in the Region by GJA Regional executive members.

Mr A.B. Kafui Kanyi, GJA Volta Regional Chairman said it was unfortunate that the Ho Light Industrial Area had been abandoned by industry players and taken over by churches and urged the Regional Coordinating Council to intervene and reclaim the area for use by industries.

He said the only surviving company at the Industrial area, Gad Furniture, was also “suffocating” because public institutions and District Assemblies were ordering furniture and building components outside the region and called for a re-look at the situation.

The Regional GJA Chair called for stimulus packages and technical support for Volta Star Textiles Ghana Limited at Juapong, Akuley Shoe factory at Kpando, Sokode Biscuit Factory and Gad Furniture.

He said some of the industries only needed good business plans to attract investors as they already had huge infrastructure and equipment.

Dr Letsa commended GJA for the initiative and said the Regional Coordinating Council was liaising with the Ministry of Trade and Industry for some stimulus package for Volta Star Textiles.

He said the Coordinating Council would also work on soft loans for some distressed but viable industries and place others under government’s “One District, One Factory” policy.

Mr Delali Ndor, a business Advocate called on entrepreneurs in the Region to take advantage of government’s pro-business policies and present business plans to the RCC for support.

Officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the Region said a total of 13 projects had been approved in the first phase of the “One District, One Factory” policy in ten districts in the Region.