Ekumfi District woos investors with tax reliefs  

The Ekumfi District Assembly has granted prospective investors a two-year inholiday to explore the investment potential of the area.
In collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the traditional authorities, the Assembly has earmarked more than 8,000 acres of litigation-free land.
reelandbly’s move is hinged on untying the district’s age-old poverty tag to accelerate development through its three-prime focus of industrialization, entrepreneurship, and investment promotion.
Mr. Benezer Monney, the District Chief Executive (DCE), disclosed this at the district’s maiden “Economic Forum” held at Ekumfi-Narkwa.
EonomicAimed at wooing investors for mutual gain, the forum is a collaborative effort of the Nana Amoasi Charity Foundation and the Assembly, with the theme “HarnessiEconomic Potential of EkumfRecipe RecGrowthr Growth and Development.”
It was graced by seasoned local and international entrepreneurs, heads of businesses, academia, traditional and religious leaders, individuals, and the media.
Carefully selected professionals across sectors in a series of well-researched presentations informed the participants about the economic, socio-political, cultural, agricultural, and natural resources of the district.
Presenting the state-of-affairs of the district, Mr. Monney said the arhad had comparative advantages in the farming of tree crops, vegetables, pineapples, pineapple tourism, processing fish mining,lt mining, and general.
The Assembly is also seeking support through a public-private partnership (PPP) for the construction of an artificial salt lagoon with warehouses and processing plants at Srafa-Aboano,Ekumpoano, and Srafa mpoao.
As well, there is a PPP opportunity for the construction of an ultramodern market and bus terminal at Ekumfi-Abor and inland fishing facilities to be installed at Narkwa, Otuam, and Srafa.
or human resource development, the Assembly hopes to train 1,000 youth in gari processing and 1,000 women and youth in fish processing in 11 coastal communities and develop the 11 coconut fringe beaches into modern hospitality and recreational facilities through a PPP arrangement.
The Assembly also seeks partners for the construction of a ceramic and clay processing facility at Otabanthe, the development of an existing crocodile pond in Abuakwa, and the investment in large-scale plantations in selected communities.
Of the 8,739.1-hectare available lands, Mr. Monney said 1,247 hectares were strategically positioned for real estate developments, 5,455 for plantations, 1,591.1 hectares for hospitality, 261 for salt mining, and 185 for aquaculture development.
Appraising local economic development concepts in the newly emerging district, Mr. Kwamena Amoasi-Andoh, a former Programmes Manager of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), urged all to prioritise the development of the area as a civic responsibility.
“Bringing local stakeholders together around a table helps build trust, removes mutual suspicion, and encourages innovation and social and economic networks,” he said.
Nana Amoasi VII, President of the Nana Amoasi Charity Foundation, called on all indigenes, both home and abroad, not to sit on the fringes but to contribute their quota towards the development of the area.
GNA