Ablakwah: Local industries have benefited in Mills' 1st year, but Nduom disagrees

Deputy Information Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwah says government has responded positively towards reviving local industries in the country. Under the one year old Mills administration, the deputy minister said giant strides have been made in the local textile as well as the engineering industries in the country. He was responding to queries from Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, who was 2008 Presidential Candidate for the Convention Peoples Party (CPP). Nduom told Joy News' Evans Mensah that the Mills administration has fallen short of his expectations. He cited delays by government in drawing a legal and social framework to regulate the oil and gas industry which is expected to boom in the country. He also criticised government for continued interference in the provision of premix to local fishermen- a situation he said was predominant in the erstwhile Kufuor administration. According to him, the government is plotting to remove the Chief fisherman in Elmina, who heads the the supply of premix fuel to replace him with a 'party man'. He also accused government of failing to empower local industry across the country. But the Deputy Information Minister disputed the claims, insisting government is well on track. He cited government's contract with Apostle Kwodwo Sarfo head of the Great Kosa Limited and leader of the Christo Asafo Church to produce tractors for the agricultural ministry. Under the contract, the Great Kosa Limited which is noted for its engineering exploits will produce 20 tractors by the end of the year. Okudzeto Ablakwah explained that the decision to contract the local industrialist is in line with government’s policy to encourage local manufacturing industries in the country. A similar project he said has been activated in the textile industry under the Free School Uniform Policy. According to him, the policy is exclusively local content with local textile company, Printext providing the materials for local fashion designers to sew. Okudzeto Ablakwah maintained the new policy is sure to resuscitate the ailing textile industry in the country. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana