71,000 Jobs in 4 Years From two-govt initiative - JAK

A total of 71,000 jobs are to be cratered in the next 4 year this follows the introduction of two initiatives - the integrated programme for cassava starch production and the export action programme for export of garments and textiles by the government recently.

The President, Mr J. A Kufuor announced this in a speech read on his behalf by his Vice, Ahaji Aliu Mahama at the 12 National Awards for export achievement in Accra on Saturday. The awards for export achievements was instituted in 1989 to honour had working exporters. So far more than 400 individual and organisation have been honoured the President said the initiatives would also help Government to release $ 3.4 billion during the same period.

He said the cassava starch programme is expected to provide about 25,000 jobs in the farming communities for the production and export of starch. The president said the export action programme is directed at the export of textile environment to the United States Market.

President Kufuor reiterated the Government commitment to make the private sector the engine of growth. "In creating a vibrant private sector it is very important to foster strategic partnership between Government on one hand and the management and labour on the other, in other to facilitate the progress of creating of congenial business environment" he said.

President Kufuor the Export Development and Investment Fund will provide loans at concessionary rate to help the growth of businesses. He said, "the government has accordingly operationalised the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to provide financial resources for the development and promotion of the export trade". He said the government will set up the Ghana Investment Fund to help Ghanaian industries to compete on the global market.

President Kufuor said an improved export sector will promote increased agriculture production, create jobs and eventually contribute to wealth creation. The non-traditional export sector possesses great potential for economic growth and its proper development would bring maximum benefits to the nation", he said.

He said government will put in place policies to encourage Ghanaian industries to develop export-oriented products that can complete globally.

President Kufuor assured the exporters of government's preparedness to review the export industry which has undergone some problems so as to remove all bottlenecks to make the sector realise its fullest potential. He said the government will ensure and support the independence of the Judiciary and effective arbitration system to resolve trade investment disputes swiftly in order to ensure confidence in investors in the country".

President Kufuor said a businessman will fell more comfortable to invest in the country when he is assured that business disputes will be impartially and expeditiously dispensed with. He appealed to Ghanaians to exercise more restraint and give the government a little time to put the economy.