Private Enterprise Foundation Meets Political Parties

The Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF) today met political parties in Accra, to outline their policies and programmes on the private sector.

The forum which was in collaboration with Konrad-Adenaur-Stifung,one of the five German political foundation in the country is to afford political parties the platform to share ideas as well as inform the electorate about measures they will implement to salvage the current challenges facing the private sector when they get the nod.

In his address, the Deputy General Secretary for the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Mr  John Ameka said the DFP government will introduce a concept known as Green Revolution which will provide the needed incentives for farmers and persons in the agricultural industry. He said the parties' industrialisation policy will establish a new image for Ghanaian businessmen to operate in a friendly environment devoid of unfair competition.

Mr Ameka observed that education is crucial for the nation's development and DFP will introduce courses in the polytechnics and the universities to provide the needed manpower to feed local industries.

The Deputy General Secretary noted that his government will partner financial institution to provide funds to indigenous businessmen to expand their operations.

A spokesperson for Economic, Trade and Industry for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr George Sipa Yankey stated that when the NDC gets the nod the government will not introduce new taxes to stifle Ghanaian business rather it will improve the already existing tax systems to provide the needed revenue to develop the country.

He said his party will provide industrial infrastructure to support the private sector as well as also link research institution with the industrial sector.

Dr Yankey said the NDC government will constantly dialogue with financial institutions to provide assistance and technical support to small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) as the fulcrum for economic growth.

He pointed out that they will engage Ghanaian business associations in the implementation of government policies and programmes.

The Director-General of the Private Enterprise Foundation Dr Osei Boeh-Ocansey stressed that there is the need for governments to invest in the activities of SMEs since it employs a larger chunk of the people.

He said the major challenge facing the private sector is assessing funds to expand their businesses.

Dr Ocansey called for a comprehensive policy which will enable financial institution to support industries.

On the oil discovery, he entreated the party that wins power to implement policies that will ensure that revenue accrued is used to unravel problems confronting the people.

The Director-General asked political parties to ensure that the peace of the nation is sustained after the polls.