Preliminary Meeting with Stakeholders On A Proposed Industrial Fair At Ningo-Prampram

A stakeholders meeting, the first of its kind has been held at the City Escape Hotel at Miotso with the purpose to engage industry players, and establish a closer relationship with them.

The meeting was also aimed at putting across the idea of a proposed industrial fair, an avenue to advertise the activities, products and programmes of business players within the District.

In a welcome address, the District Chief Executive Hon. Al-Latiff Tetteh Amanor re- iterated the need for the District to be given a Municipal status, he noted that a District with a population of over 230,000 should be a Municipality, he remarked that the Assembly is faced with a situation of using a district strength to manage municipality challenges. To explain this, he said resources from the Central Government are usually allocated according to hierarchal status; Metropolitan, Municipal and District.

Mr. Amanor noted stakeholders were important for the total development of the District, He added that their presence adds value to the image of the District, he stated that one of his agenda was to ensure that he supports all good intended vision of all groups and stakeholders in his jurisdiction.

In a remark the District Coordinating Director, Mr. Bernard Mats Yingura stated that the participants are playing very important economic roles in the District. “It’s a win-win situation for both Assembly and the business community if we meet regularly”, he added.

He further made it clear that the District Assembly is the sole planning authority in the jurisdiction to see to it that there is orderliness in planning in relation to physical infrastructure as well as ensuring to the maintenance of security, peace and safety at all times.

The President of the Association of Ghana Industries, (AGI) Tema Region, Dr. Edward Akwetey urged the industry players to register with the Association. He also urged the Assembly to have regularly meetings and not only go to the stakeholders when the time comes for business permit and property rate payment. “If a good rapport is developed, stakeholders will pay the necessary rates” he added.

The meeting brought together product manufacturers, hospitality industry players, service providers, estate developers who met with the Assembly’s management. Issues of concern to their businesses were discussed with management. They identified challenges of the District, called on Assembly to address them to make the area a better place.

Notable among the challenges included absence of street lights, bad roads, rampant power outages, water problems, and untidy nature of the beaches.

ISD