Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Alhaji Collins Dauda, has pledged increased support to stimulate the growth of local businesses.

He said the government was determined to ensure that they had access to credit, appropriate training programmes and market.

Supporting the indigenous industries to become more viable would provide jobs for the people, create wealth and help to lift many out of poverty, he noted.

The Minister was speaking at a special service held in Kumasi to bring the curtains down on the silver jubilee celebration of Prefos Limited, an electrical company, which has been assembling street light bulbs locally.

The event was held under the theme; “We have come this far by grace”.

Alhaji Dauda said it was important for the private and public sectors to work together to keep the economy on an even keel.

He again called on all to show strong commitment to the nation’s development agenda, asking that, nobody should sit on the sidelines.

Everybody, he said, must find space to make meaningful contribution to the progress of the country.

Mr. Alexie K. Fosu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company, said they were making good progress and attributed this to hard work, resilience and best practices.

“From a humble beginning, our company has worked with determination to be where we are today.”

Prefos produces about 600 street light bulbs a day and employs 200 people.

Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng, Founder and General Overseer of Power Chapel Worldwide, advised the youth to do away with the unbridled lust for money and extravagance.

They should be modest, accept to work hard and engage in decent jobs to avoid running into trouble with the law.