A 15-member delegation from the city of Macon in the United States led by their Mayor, Mr Jack Ellis on Monday undertook a tour of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) district to explore areas for investment.

The tour is a follow up of a memorandum of understanding for a sister-city relationship signed between Macon and the KEEA district assemblylast year.Among some of the places visited by the delegation were the Elmina Urban Clinic, Abrem-Agona Health Post and Eguafo-Abrem Senior Secondary School where it donated medical supplies and learning materials valued at 70 million cedis.

Addressing a durbar held in their honour at Elmina, Mr Ellis underscored the importance of such a relationship and stated that the time has come for all African-Americans and Africans in the Diaspora to contribute their quota towards the socio-economic development of Ghana, where according to him, he believes their ancestors come from.

He said it is their aim to assist the district to improve its health and education sectors and develop computer technology in the short term and set up agro-processing industries in the long term.

The Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, Dr Kwesi Nduom told the African-Americans to take advantage of the favourable investment climate to invest in the country.

Dr Nduom assured the delegation of the ministry's assistance and expressed the hope that the people of the two cities would benefit immensely from the partnership.

The Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze said there are investment opportunities in the processing of citrus into fruit juice, jam and marmalade for the local market and for export.

He said the area also has a potential for sugarcane processing and thatSugar mills could be set up to reactivate sugar production, which ceased following the closure of the Komenda Sugar Factory

The Regional Minister also appealed to the delegation to help in theprovision of an ambulance to facilitate effective health care delivery in the district.

The Omanhene of the Edina Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI appealed to the delegation to contribute towards the area's education fund.