Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade and Industry, has stated that excessive bureaucracy in the public sector is a huge disincentive to businesses.
According to him, instances whereby people in public offices tend to be too bureaucratic and even demand “tokens” before executing their duties do not auger well for businesses. Dr Spio-Garbrah made this known while speaking at the maiden edition of Entrepreneurs Breakfast Meeting Series organised by the Airport Branch of the Action Chapel International in Accra recently.
He said, “People in public offices must understand that they are there to help private businesses to thrive to be able to support economic growth.
“In this regard, civil servants must desist from holding back support, being more bureaucratic and in some instances, seeking incentives from the private business persons before performing duties ascribed to them.”
Dr Spio-Garbrah urged civil servants to go about their duties in the manner that will facilitate trade and complement efforts by government to build a vibrant and viable domestic business environment.
He said government has rolled out various initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and ensuring a favourable business environment that facilitates trade.He urged entrepreneurs to patronise the business support programmes of government, notably the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund (EDAIF) and the Youth Enterprise Support (YES) to ease pressure on their operations.
Ghana-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Ami Mehl, who was a guest speaker at the event, hinted that Ghana-Israel Chamber of Commerce would soon be established to among other things increase exports from Ghana to Israel.
He said that Ghanaians can take advantage of science and technology and export trade.
“Science and technology must be deployed in key sectors of the economy to drive growth. Ghanaian businesses can therefore leverage Israeli technology and business knowhow to be more productive,” the Ambassador said.
Entrepreneurs Breakfast Meeting series
Managing Director of KRIF Ghana Ltd and pastor in charge of the Action Chapel International, Airport Residential Area Branch, Reverend Kennedy Okosun, said the Entrepreneurs Breakfast Meeting series which will be held monthly, will offer an opportunity for networking and discussions that will help to develop the local business community.
It will offer the Ghanaian entrepreneur the platform to interact with heads of missions in the country and identify business avenues that will increase wealth and generate opportunities for the growth of the country’s economy, he added.
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