The Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Jeeva Sagar says the economic potential of the establishment of electronic meter assembling plant by Alpha Power Ventures Limited, an Indian company will further propel the socio-economic development of Ghana.
The plant which is located at Ningo-Prampram of the Greater Accra Region late last year, which he noted had paved the way for other industrial enterprises to begin industrial operations.
“It is an industrial zone of more than 200 acres developed by an Indian investor but most interestingly there are companies from Brazil, Spain and other countries springing up on that same industrial space,” he stated.
Mr Sagar made the remarks during a brief flag-hoisting ceremony held in Accra on Monday, 26 to mark India’s 66th Republic Day.
The Indian Diplomat was confident that the impacts of the project on the Ghanaian economy would be tremendous, saying: “We will have value addition, we will have employment generation here and a lot more” .The $10-million assembling plant is also expected to create between 200 and 300 new jobs, with the number estimated to hit 1,000 when additional capacity is brought on stream.
Addressing a large Indian community in Ghana, Mr Sagar , who hoisted the Flag of India and later read a speech on behalf of the President of India, H.E Pranab Mukherjee noted that the year 2015 was a year of hope for all mankind.
He added: “Key economic indicators provide for much optimism. Strengthening of the external sector, move towards fiscal consolidation, moderation in price levels, early signs of rebound in manufacturing and record agricultural production last year augur well for our economy”.
Mr Mukherjee assured his people that achieving 5% plus growth rates each in the first two quarters of 2014-15 was a healthy sign for an early reversion to the high growth trajectory of 7-8%.
He told Indians: “Our national ambition is to raise the quality of life of Indians by quantum leaps and raise generations enlightened by learning, patriotism, compassion, honesty, and a sense of duty.
We must strive for the highest quality in our educational institutions so that we can take our place, within a visible future, among the knowledge leaders of the 21st century”.
At a dinner to mark the day, Indian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Sagar was emphatic that despite the economic challenges, Ghana was poised for a great leap under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
He indicated: “More relevant and satisfying for us than the $800 million India companies have invested in Ghana, is the number of jobs they have created in Ghana, and the amount of value-addition generated”.
Ghana’s Minister of Interior, Mark Woyongo who led the government delegation to the reception conveyed the government and people of Ghana congratulations to the government and people of India on the auspicious occasion.
He paid a glowing tribute to the founding fathers of both Ghana and India who laid the strong foundation of the traditional bonds of friendship, solidarity and cooperation based on the principles of equality and partnership.
Mr Woyongo said: “We in Ghana have observed with admiration, the giant strides made by India in economic growth and development over the last two decades which deserve emulation by other developing countries like Ghana.
This achievement has largely been due to a good mix of the country’s huge manpower based, diversified natural resources, strong macroeconomic fundamentals and above all the uninterrupted democratic dispensation since the promulgation of India’s constitution in 1950”.
Mr Woyongo observed that the traditional bonds of friendship and cooperation forged at the political level had have greatly manifested in steady growth of economic cooperation between the two countries.
“We appreciate the considerable financial and material supports extended to the government by India over the years in its quest for socio-economic development through grants and credit facilities. Notable among these are the two lines credit to the tune of $30 million and $150 million extended to Ghana for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the portable water project in the Yendi catchment area and the strengthening of the Agricultural Merchanisation Centres project respectively”, he stated.
African Eye News.com
