Let's revisit ''Operation Feed Yourself'' - Chamber of Commerce

By Esi Kaba, GNA
Accra , May 6, GNA - Nana Dr Apiagyei Dankah Woso 1, the President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), has urged Ghanaians to consider revisiting the ''Operation Feed yourself Programme' towards food security.

The Programme, introduced in the 1970s by the Acheampong Regime, was to enable Ghanaians to produce enough to feed the national demand.

He said Operation Feed Yourself would also open more job avenues in the Agricultural sector.

Nana Apiagyei Dankah said this at the inauguration of the GNCCI Council and the GNCCI Central Executive Committee, in Accra.

By the Constitution of the GNCCI, the Council or the Board which is made up of representatives from all the seven regional branches and some official of the Chamber, shall be deemed as the main decision making body of the Chamber while the Central Executive Committee, which is also made up of some eminent businessmen and women would also seek to implement decisions taken by the Council.

He said the Government alone could not change the unemployment situation in the country, hence the need for the private sector to do its best to help curb the unemployment.

He said the report issued by ISSER-Legon, said that Government employed only six per cent of the total workforce of the country was a clear indication that the private sector played a critical role in the employment arena.

He, therefore, urged the Chamber to 'wake up' and lead the country in its quest to transform the economy.

Nana Apiagyei Dankah said the Chamber per its Constitution, was not affiliated to any political party, but rather worked with any party of the Government of the day.

He said as part of the expansion project of the Chamber, it had acquired a land at Osu where it would build its ultra-modern office complex as well as open new offices in Techiman and Koforidua.

'We also intend to have a training school to impact entrepreneurial skills to students, as well as organise capacity building training programmes for members,' he said.

'We also hope to develop more programmes and initiatives to motivate more women to start their own businesses', he added.

Nana Apiagyei Dankah said the Chamber was also developing its five-year strategic plan, which would serve as a direction and guide for the Association.

Mr Mark Badu Aboagye, the Chief Executive Officer, GNCCI, said advocacy for best business practices, export development programme for members, the organisation of trade fairs and exhibitions, the organisation of consultation services and the development of the human capital of its members were some of the core functions of the Chamber.

He said for the first time in the history of the GNCCI, it would organise an awards ceremony to honour and motivate its deserving members this year.

He said the Ghana Port and Harbour Authority (GPHA) had also given the Chamber a land at Tema to construct its Tema Branch.

Mr Ken Thompson, the Chief Executive Officer, Dalex Financial Services, also reiterated the call for a boost in the agricultural sector and an improvement in the lives of our farmers.

He expressed concern about the nation's importation of tomatoes from Burkina Faso and the lack of growing diverse crops.

'It's said that it is easier to transport tomatoes from Burkina Faso to Ghana than to transport the same commodity within the country due to poor road network and storage systems,' he explained.

GNA