Expansion Of Manufacturing Sector Will Help End Poverty - Oti Boateng

Accra,(Greater Accra) 7 Nov. Daasebre (Dr) Oti Boateng, Government Statistician today said expansion of the manufacturing sector is a prerequisite to poverty alleviation in the country. ''The expansion of the manufacturing sector will assist and complement other programmes aimed at eradicating poverty by expanding employment opportunities and creating a commercial and industrial community.'' Daasebre Boateng was speaking at a seminar on ''the results of the fourth round of Ghana manufacturing enterprises survey''. The seminar, organized by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), attracted 110 participants from state and private manufacturing industries, firms and the civil service. Topics discussed included preliminary results of surveys on employment and wages in Ghana and the state of Ghanaian manufacturing enterprises. Daasebre Boateng noted that at present the manufacturing sub- sector accounts for less than 10 per cent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). He expressed optimism in the potential of the sector, saying that experience has shown that the manufacturing sector which presents an attractive model for rapid socio-economic advancement and poverty alleviation, can make a great contribution to national development.