The Nzema Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has vowed to lead the crusade to revamp the coconut industry, which was once the economic crop that provided livelihood to the Nzemas.
The coconut industry provided employment and income to the Nzema people but has been devastated by the deadly cape saint wilt disease.
The NCCI has therefore promised to revamp the industry by working with those who had the interest to restore to the people their economic crop which made poverty almost non-existent in Nzema.
Mr. Joseph Apor Adjei, Chairman of the NCCI, stated this during the official inauguration of the Chamber at Benyin in the Jomoro District of the Western Region.
He pointed out that the Chamber was ready to do business with the public in the Nzemaland and Ghana as a whole.
He noted that the vision of the NCCI was to have a well-organized business community resulting in an operationally diversified and transformed economy, and improve the livelihoods of the people of Nzema.
“NCCI intends to offer a one-stop shop for local businesses, settle disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution, and engage professionals to develop capacities of members among others,” he said.
He stated that “there is strong need for a thriving and progressive local chamber that will rally the local businesses together to be able to take advantage of the numerous business opportunities, as a result of the oil and gas activities in the area”.
Dr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah, the Minister of Trade and Industry whose speech was read on his behalf, called on the various Chambers of Commerce and Industries to provide the requisite assistance to help promote the operations and expansion of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).
According to him, Ghanaians have witnessed the benefits of Chamber of Commerce and Industries over the past century, and was hopeful that the development of the NCCI would provide a greater anchor of hope for the fledging SMEs in the area.
“I hope the newly created Nzema Chamber of Commerce will be the voice of businesses and ensure that voice is heard when it matters and necessary to protect the interests of the SMEs,” he stated.
Dr Spio Garbrah said his outfit’s strategic orientation was to ensure sustained growth and development in terms of trade industrial development as well as planning to promote the revival of dormant industries.
“As a country with numerous challenges surrounding industrial development, our main objective has normally centered on addressing the global challenges facing the local industries through the development of policies that will foster the requisite interventions,” he added.
He was optimistic that the establishment of NCCI would boost the activities of SMEs in the District and offer more opportunities for promoting their products.
