Agona Swedru, (C/R), April 14, GNA- The Central Region Development forum aimed at harnessing natural resources to create wealth and reduce poverty in the region has been held at Agona Swedru. The business forum was organized by the Central Regional Development Commission(CEDECOM), Faculty of Social Science of the University of Cape Coast(UCC) and the Central Regional Coordinating Council CRCC),under the theme: "harnessing the resources of Central Region for accelerated development." It was attended by the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Traditional Chiefs, businessmen and women and other stakeholders.

In an address, Nana Ato Arthur, Regional Minister said the business forum was to provide a platform for the sustainable development with entrepreneurs, financiers, public and private institutions to ascertain their preparedness and commitment towards the growth and poverty reduction in the region. He said human resource was the key to sustainable development and expressed the hope that the collaboration of the UCC and CEDECOM would enhance the region's socio-economic advancement. Nana Ato Arthur stressed the need to encourage investors both local and foreign to come and invest in the region to create jobs and wealth. "Our region has all the resources to enable it occupy its rightful position in the nation's development agenda and thus positively on the lives of the people in the region," he stressed.

Mr. John Akowuah, Executive Director of CEDECOM stated that the objectives of the business forum was to map out institutional linkages and examine the role of financial institutions, including micro finance institutions in the growth and poverty reduction. He said there were natural resources such as oil palm, citrus, fisheries, pineapple, cassava, bamboo, clay for ceramic products, timber, granite deposit, kaolin and salt that had not been fully harnessed to attract foreign exchange that will lead to economic growth and development. He said a club, dubbed: "Central Club 20" is being proposed to serve as a catalyst for growth and development.

Mr Akowuah noted that, four districts had been selected for a pilot project for micro finance intervention based on specific criteria such as level of deprivation and natural resources endowment. The Executive Director noted that entrepreneurs would be encouraged to add value to their products for wealth and employment, saying farmers and manufacturers' linkage would be established to fast track development of the region.

Mr Daniel Danquah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Coastal Groove Limited expressed concern about post-harvest agricultural losses, inadequate industrial infrastructure and market to absorb agriculture produce and inadequate credit facility to farmers which, he said, had affected the farmers' productivity. Mr Danquah stated that, the formation of Central Club 20 could successfully pool capital and other resources to make an impact in the region to set agenda for development.