Sumbrungu, U/E, March 23, GNA- The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Mahami Salifu has charged artisans in the region to show more commitment and dedication to work if they want to succeed, reduce poverty and create wealth.

He said no amount of external assistance would bring "you out of your present predicament, if you do not work hard at it."

Mr. Salifu said this at Sumbrungu/Asoego, when he commissioned one of four handicraft production centres put up in the region by Aids to Artisans Ghana (ATAG), a local NGO in collaboration with the European Union (EU), at an estimated cost of over 300 million cedis. The other centres are at Gambibgo, Sirigu and Tesh-Natiga near Pusiga. Mr. Salifu observed that the purpose of constructing the centres is to create jobs, empower the rural folks and to create wealth and urged the artisans to be innovative to be capable of taking advantage of the global economy.

He also urged ATAG to offer practical assistance to the artisans to foster artistic traditions and collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to give agronomic training to enable them grow the raw materials needed instead of them travelling outside the region. The Regional Field Co-ordinator, Mrs. Bridget Kyerematen-Darko said ATAG aim is to help craft people use their talents to make a living. She said it will also help them acquire means of transport to transport their wares and help educate their children and advised them to use the facilities provided collectively, efficiently and effectively to encourage donors to provide more.

Mr. Emmanuel Asaaga, assemblyman of the area thanked ATAG for the facility and appealed for the construction of a day care centre that can take care of the children while their mothers are at work.