President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday urged Italian investors to utilise the sound economic policies being pursued by the government to establish most of their manufacturing industries in Ghana.

He said with their expertise in the manufacturing sector they could assist the government to reduce the high unemployment rate and in addition further strengthen the cordial relationship between Ghana and Italy.

President Kufuor made the appeal when a seven-member delegation from the Italian media called on him at the Castle, Osu.

He said Ghana's position as the gateway to the West African Sub-region would gurantee Italian business entreprenuers access to the available markets of over 250 million people.

President Kufuor said Ghana needed development partnership that could assist the country to establish training centres to expose artisans and middle level personnel to new technologies in the world.

He said there was a lot Ghana could learn from Italy, therefore, it should use Ghana as the platform to the West African Sub-region.

"We want Italy to know Ghana appropriately to strengthen relationship with us to attract investors. You as media practitioners, have the capability to help educate Italians especially the business sector about the peace, stability and economic progress being made for them to invest. I hope something positive would come out of your visit," he added.

Mr Bruno Liconti of the Espresso Media and leader of the delegation said their visit was to extend the cordial relationship between the Journalists Associations in both countries.

He said it was with the exchange of ideas and information that a new era in relations between both countries could be established and sustained.

Mrs Gifty Affienyi-Dadzie, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), who acompanied the delegation, said good governance means that all sectors of the economy collectively work for the good of society.

She said the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm should not be left out and the media in Ghana would endeavour to play its role effectively to reduce the incidence of poverty, disease and other issues that affect society for the country to move forward.