Seven business men and women have been appointed as interim Western Regional Executives of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI). They are three executives and four council members, drawn from diverse business backgrounds.

The new regional executives, being led by the incumbent Western Regional Best Farmer would manage the affairs of the chamber in the region in the interim, whilst attempts are made by the chamber for proper elections to be conducted to select new executives.

At an induction ceremony organized in Takoradi on Friday to officially present the new team, and announce the decision, and what necessitated that, President of Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Seth Adjei Baah explained that the decision follows the embarrassing break away of some members of the chamber to form another group.

According to him, whilst the Ghana Chamber of Commerce would not pay attention to the action of the aggrieved members, it would not also allow them to use the name of the chamber.

In addition, he said the office premise of the chamber purportedly hijacked by the break away group, would be retrieved in due course.

He expressed optimism that the two issues now before court, thus, the ownership of the office which is in serious dispute and the legal right surrounding the use and application of the name, Sekondi -Takoradi Chamber of Commerce, would eventually settle the difference between the two parties.

Dr. Adjei Baah narrated that greed, poor accountability, lack of transparency, and general lack of understanding on the part of some of the aggrieved members he suspects, might have influenced the action and decision taken to break away from the umbrella chamber group.

Nonetheless, he said the lingering issue, has taught the top echelon of the chamber very useful lessons, that they should never be arm chair leaders and expects results.

He advised the interim regional executives to take cue from the impasse and reposition the chamber in the oil region. He charged them to be transparent, accountable and above all serve humanity with humility.

On behalf of the newly inducted regional executives, representing the chamber now in the region, the regional Chairman, Mr. Issa Ouedraogo, thanked the chamber for reposing its confidence in the seven member team.

He called for unity, commitment and apparent dedication to the values and principles of the chamber. He believes a united chamber in the region would create the required platform for businesses to thrive.

He urged members to constantly allow calm to prevail in the conduct of activities of the chamber.