AGI to engage KMA in business facilitation

The Millennium Cities Initiative is facilitating the institutionalization of regular interactions between the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the business community in the city.

The move is aimed at eliminating administrative bottlenecks which impede the growth of local businesses. It should also lead to increased patronage of Ghanaian manufactured products.

The MCI intervention followed a mutual discussion between the Association of Ghana Industries and accounting firm KPMG, under the auspices of the KMA.

Robert Nkatia of the AGI called for the review of systems and structures that do not support industrialization. “I believe that for the city to grow and have the needed impact, these bottlenecks would have to be uprooted. If the systems are not working or benefiting the people, they have to be redesigned and it has to be immediate” he said.

Global Head of Citizenship & Diversity of KPMG International, Lord Michael Hastings, entreated local businesses to concentrate on opportunities to maximize the potentials. He stressed proper management and accounting principles as conditions to overcome credit and other administrative bottlenecks. “You need to invest between you and the cash to get the administration that will run your organization and assist the businesses to make their management and accounting effective”, recommended Lord Hastings.

KPMG was instrumental in publishing the Kumasi Investment Guide under the MCI project. The KMA is expected to strengthen its investment desk to make it more functional and officials have expressed willingness to facilitate the growth of local industries for job and wealth creation.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh