PNC will pursue industrial development

Story: Boahene Asamoah

THE presidential aspirant of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Mahama, has said a government under his administration would work in partnership with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to develop industrial infrastructure and zones to favour industrial development, efficiency and competitiveness.
His government, he said, would also develop the human resource base of industries, to improve financing opportunities for industrial development as well as reforming the tax system of the country.
Speaking at a meeting with members of the AGI in Accra yesterday, Dr Mahama said “a priority area for me would be working with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company Limited to ensure reliable and efficient supply of these two essential commodities of industrialisation”.
He stated that industries in Ghana today were in crisis, adding that the high level of unemployment, the high number of companies filing for bankruptcy and the recent escalating oil prices were clear indications of the crisis industries were faced with.
Dr Mahama, whose paper was titled “Creating Giants -The PNC Commitment”, said his vision would be creating giants in industry, stressing that creating giants would bring about economic growth and national development, which required partnership between the government and industries.
He said his government would usher in the Golden Age of increased productivity with focus on two primary areas, namely agriculture and industry.
“There cannot be development economically or socially without increased production of food and other goods and services, he stated, adding that “government must partner the agricultural sector to lead an increased food production”.
Dr Mahama stated that agro-based industry must be firmly established to anchor the country’s industrial take-off which would follow the petrol chemical industrial complex waiting to be developed.
“A solid agro-industry industry will partner the petrol-chemical industry to create an African Industrial Giant in Ghana,” the presidential aspirant stated.
Dr Mahama underscored the need to link science and technology to agriculture and industry to ensure accelerated growth and development.
Dr Mahama, after his presentation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AGI.