Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Volta Region chapter on Wednesday, April 25, marked the 2018 International Press Freedom Day ahead of the mandated May 3, with a business development caucus at Nkwanta, capital of the Nkwanta-South Municipal.
The forum formed part of GJA regional chapter’s flagship project to spur the founding, development and modernization of businesses in the Volta Region, with backing from the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Volta-Eastern chapter.
The forum which was facilitated by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and the Nkwanta Municipal Assembly and themed, Reviving Local Industries, provided the platform for business people to interact with bureaucrats, business development officers and journalists.
Among the business people in attendance were cassava, yam and rice farmers and marketers, gari processers, traders, garage owners, dressmakers, carpenters and honey makers.
There were also representatives of the Ministry of Trade and Industries, National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) and Gratis, makers of light processing industrial machines.
Mr John Thasun, Nkwanta Municipal Chief Executive, (MCE), said agriculture is the bedrock of the economy of the area with about 140,000 population. The municipality which shares borders with Togo has a dual vegetation area; forested as well as deciduous and with a mixed climate.
The Municipality has sprawling valley bottoms and rolling hills and with an expansive National Park, Kyabobo- 360 square kilometers.
The area, experts say, has the capacities to be an expansive granary of the country and a tubers production haven.
The MCE believes these factors coupled with the government’s Planting for Food and Jobs and a cashew cultivation agenda, among other programmes including, artisans skill upgrade programme, would raise the economic stakes of the area.
Human Resource Manageress of Agya Appiah Bitters Limited, Mrs Tenkorang stressed the need for all businesses to be registered so they could be traceable and available for genuine business transactions.
Anthony Bells Kafui Kanyi, GJA Volta Chairman also emphasised the need for journalists to pursue stories that would bring up issues that negatively affect businesses, such as bad roads, credit sourcing, unreliable power supply among others for discussion.
Earlier, Journalists stopped over at Volta Red, an oil palm processing factory near Kadjebi, where the managers said business was good but wanted government’s support with some form of irrigation to considerably increase production on their farms.
Ghana will on May 3, host this year’s International World Press Freedom Day on the theme “Keeping Power in check: Media Justice and the Rule of Law.
By: Sepenyo Dzokoto/voltaonlinegh.com