Mankessim (C/R), Aug 4, GNA - Government is supporting some 30 markets and 20 garages nationwide with social amenities such as toilet, water and power facilities to enhance conditions for their patronage, officials have said. The programme, dubbed: "Domestic Trade and Industrial Services Improve Project (DOTIP), is part of the Ministry of Trade Sector Support Programme.

Launching the project at Mankessim in the Central Region, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and President Special Initiative, said the project would be undertaken in partnership with the respective Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly with Zoom Lion Limited, a private sanitation company, as implementing agents. He said additional refuse containers, water storage tanks, places of convenience and security lighting would be provided while butchers' shops would be rehabilitated, adding that "countless" customers would benefit in terms of access to products and services in a more healthy and congenial environment.

Papa Owusu Ankomah said a second phase of the project, which involved providing training and technical assistance, will follow to prepare the stakeholders to be eligible credit schemes to support their small scale enterprises. Foodstuff sellers and distributors will especially be targeted for assistance to ensure that they could cost-effectively source, transport and deliver supplies, the minister stated. He said the project, to be funded partly from the jubilee bond, would cover traders operating along the rural highways. Mr. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Information and National Orientation, outlined projects initiated by the government to give Mankessim a face-lift. Mr Asamoah-Boateng, who is also MP for the area, said there were plans to construct a modern market for the town.