Takoradi June.7, -GNA-Nana Busumakura 111, Omanhene of Takoradi Traditional Area, on Wednesday advised private investors to contact the right traditional rulers for lands for their businesses to prevent litigation.

He gave the advice when launching 2005 Corporate Awards of the Sekondi-Takoradi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Takoradi. Nana Busumakura said lands acquired by investors from wrong people are often the cause of protracted litigations that affect the growth of private businesses.

He said traditional rulers are prepared to give out lands to investors to support the growth of the private sector but the lands must be properly acquired.

Nana Busumakura urged private investors to maintain cordial relationship with traditional rulers after acquisition of lands to enable them create congenial atmosphere for the development of businesses.

He called on the chamber to serve as an instrument for private sector development in the region and to support the government's development agenda.

In an address read for him, Mr James Kainyiah, chairman of the Sekondi-Takoradi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted that industry activity in the region has gone down due to shift of business activities to Accra, Tema and Kumasi.

He said as a result of this, "The economy of the region has not expanded as expected to create more linkages for growth". Mr Kainyiah said it is against this background that the chamber is organizing the corporate awards day to show appreciation to businesses for the crucial roles they are playing to sustain the economy of the region.

He said the corporate awards are to express society's appreciation to companies that have not re-located to Accra and have continued to maintain offices in the region.

Mr Philip Dadzie, chairman of the Planning Committee of the awards ceremony said the programme would take place in August this year. He said in all, 20 awards would be given out covering various categories to motivate the winning companies and others to strive for excellence.