Kumasi, Jan. 4, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister has urged importers to be purposeful in their operations to enhance the development of the private sector to accelerate the development of the country.

Speaking at a dinner-dance organised by the Kumasi Small-Scale Importers Association on Saturday night he reiterated that the development of the nation depended on what Ghanaians could do for themselves.

Mr Boafo said the government would encourage the formation of small-scale enterprises as the engine of growth of the economy and asked them to unite to achieve this objective.

The Regional Minister said the NPP would retain power in this year's election pointing out that the modest strides made by the government in the socio-economic and political fields in the few years it had been in power were ample testimony that the party was capable of raising the living standards of the people.

He called on Ghanaians to vote massively for the party in the elections to be able to continue with its aim of lifting the nation from poverty.

Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Member of Parliament (MP) for Old-Tafo/Suame said the Boankra Inland Port would facilitate the work of small-scale importers in the northern sector when completed. Mr Kwaku-Duah, Vice-President of the association, appealed to the government to reduce import duties for small-scale importers to enhance their work.