He said part of the land area would also be used for agricultural activities and other development projects. The forum, organised by the Volta Regional Charter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) with support from the Association of Ghana Industries Volta/Eastern branch, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the Nkwanta South Municipal Assembly was to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day in the Region.

The Municipal Chief Executive said the Assembly was making efforts to increase industrial output to open up the area for socio-economic development and has allocated two per cent of its Common Fund to support SMEs with workshops, training and project funding.

Mr Thasun said seedlings of cashew and other viable crops would be distributed free of charge to interested farmers, and asked entrepreneurs to register their businesses and comply with standards to help grow the local economy.

Mr John Kofi Oppong, Advisor, Nkwanta South Garages Association, said the unavailability of an industrial park discouraged young people from practicing industrial skills they had acquired, and rather taken to commercial motorcycle operation and other activities.

He said the over 130 members comprising mechanic engineers, fabricators and blacksmiths were scattered in the Municipal capital and that the creation of an industrial hub would promote industrialization.Rice growers in the Municipality also appealed to government to provide engineered fields to boost production with calls on financial institutions to serve flexible loan packages for SMEs and the fixing of bad roads in the area.

Mrs Josephine Dzotsi, the Regional Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said stimulus packages were being worked out for distressed but promising businesses and that the industrial park project was being prioritised to help realise collaboration, skill transfer and the influence of best practices.

The forum also attracted farmers, bee keepers, local manufacturers and artisans.