Agona Swedru, Aug 29, GNA - Mr Samuel Kweku Obodai, Deputy Central Regional Minister has reiterated that government would continue to adopt pragmatic policies and programmes that will boost and empower the private sector.

He said the private sector, being described as engine of growth of the economy, would not succeed without being given the needed financial assistance to promote the development of businesses. Mr Obodai made these observations when he addressed the 20th anniversary of the Agona Swedru zone of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association at Swedru. The anniversary celebration coincided with the graduation of apprentices, who had completed their three-years of apprenticeship. He noted that the establishment of the medium and small scale loans (MASLOG) and other credit facilities by the government were to enhance development of private enterprises.

The Deputy Minister stated that government would provide enabling environment for private enterprises and individual as a quest to create wealth and jobs, and also reduce poverty. He commended the Association for the construction of a hostel for the apprentices and pledged to donate 100 bags of cement as his personal contributions to support the project. Mr Obodai charged the new graduates to build good customer relations to attract new customers, instead of attempting to cease customers from their masters and mistresses. Mr Ben Mensah, Chief Executive for the Agona West Municipal Assembly urged artisans to approach the district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies for credit facilities, to boost their businesses.

He said the economy of the state was booming and this had attracted off shore banking, adding that more banks were in the process of opening branches in the Agona Swedru Municipality. Mr Mensah called on the artisans to take advantage of prevailing situation to improve their businesses and gave the assurance that the Assembly was prepared to support enterprises and individuals to secure loans to expand their trades and businesses.