PROJECT BA AS VIABLE INVESTMENT DESTINATION (PAGE 20)

THE Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo has called on media practitioners in the region to use their reportage and programmes to project the region as a viable investment destination in the country.
According to him, the region was well endowed with both natural and human resources that could be tapped and harnessed for the rapid socio-economic development of the region.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo made the call in Sunyani when he interacted with media practitioners in the region.
He urged media personnel to see themselves as partners in development than to always put the region in the negative spotlight which had the potential to scare away investors.
“The Brong Ahafo Region has great potential for investment in agriculture, mining, small and medium scale industries as well as tourism which are yet to be fully exploited,” he stated.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo, therefore, implored the media practitioners to lead the region’s investment drive through their reportage to woo investors to those sectors towards the promotion of the economic growth of the area.
He stated that instead of focusing on the negative sides of the region, the media must endeavour to portray or highlight the positive sides as well as the economic potentials of the region to attract investors.
Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said as part of his administration’s resolve to woo investors to the region, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) would create a website, which would provide up-to-the-minute information on the key potential investment areas in the region.
“The region has a variety of tourist attractions including the Bui and Digya National Parks, the Buabeng/Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, the Kintampo/Fuller and Chridi Waterfalls and festivals such as Kwafie and Apoo, which are associated with colourful durbars of chiefs reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Brong Ahafo. All these areas, coupled with the warm hospitality of our people make them potential and favourable areas of investment”, Mr Nyamekye-Marfo added.
He called on all well-to-do citizens in the region both locally and abroad, to consider investing back home or be worthy ambassadors of the region to help market the region to both domestic and foreign investors.
The regional minister pledged that his administration would also continue to create a congenial and enabling environment for all to do their genuine businesses.
He, however, warned those who were bent on derailing efforts at promoting the region as a viable investment destination in the country, to mend their ways and join in to help create wealth for all irrespective of their political, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds.
    Mr Nyamekye-Marfo used the occasion to thank the chiefs and people in the region for the various roles they played during the 2008 general election and the peaceful manner voting was done in the area, stressing “Indeed, it was a victory for all of us and the country.”