Aliu calls for Germany's assistance in investments

Vice President Aliu Mahama on Thursday urged Germany to assist small-scale industries with investments and technical expertise in line with the government's vision to create jobs and wealth.

Addressing a delegation of German Parliamentarians at the Castle, Osu, Alhaji Mahama, appealed to Germany to also support the road sector to improve the transportation in the country.

The delegation from the Eastern German Regional Parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, led by Mr Hinrich Kuessner, its President, is in the country to assess the viability of supporting an Nsawam-based Rehabilitation Home for Street Girls.

Mrs Dora Otima-Quainoo, a Ghanaian social worker and resident in the region owns the Home.

Alhaji Mahama urged the delegation, which included Mrs Karla Staszak, Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Claudia Montoreano and Mrs Gudrun Kuessner, to be advocates for investment in Ghana and support for structures that would promote democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

"Germany has one of the best technical expertise that we can tap for building our industries and manufacturing companies. Germany can also help us with technical and vocational training".

He said the government was committed to transforming the weak economy it inherited into a prosperous one and to promote democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

He lauded Germany for what he described as "her tremendous assistance to Ghana over the years" and commended Mrs Otima-Quainoo for her humanitarian work, which involved rehabilitating street girls and integrating them into their communities.

Mr Kuessner pledged the delegation's goodwill and support for Ghana, as they had been impressed by the potentials, dedication and friendliness of the people they had met during their two-week tour of the country.

He drew some similarities between the experiences of his region when democracy was introduced in 1988, saying drastic, but necessary decisions such as paying economic rates for fuel, had to be implemented to ensure financial discipline and economic progress.

Mr Kuessner said he would link up Ghanaian business people and their German counterparts for networking and the establishment of fruitful relations.

The German Ambassador to Ghana, Dr Harald Loeschner and Mr Isaak Obuba, a Ghanaian resident in Germany, who was instrumental in organising the trip accompanied the delegation.