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Regional News of Saturday, 21 February 2004

Source: GNA

Dormaa Residents hail budget

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A) Feb 21, GNA- A cross section of residents of Dormaa-Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo have expressed satisfaction with this year's budget statement, saying it is the best so far by the government. Mr Adjei Baafi, a 68-year-old storekeeper told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the budget was "friendly" as the tax relief to industrialists in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions would boost production by local industries and reduce unemployment. He said the emphasis on irrigation farming was an important feature that would also boost production and improve the status of farmers and the nation's foreign exchange earnings.

Emphasis on the Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI) on cassava, oil palm and cotton is laudable and will enable farmers to diversify production, he added.

The Reverend Alex Gyan-Benneh, Pastor in-charge of Temple of Praise Ministries noted that the tax relief and exemptions would boost production by industries and generate employment.

The rehabilitation of some roads including Kumasi-Accra, Accra-Lome, Accra-Cape Coast and others would help improve transportation and communication systems, he said.

Mr. Michael Amponsah, Dormaa District Officer of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) noted that the budget "really set the nation on the path of accelerated socio-economic and political development".