Journey to Ghana
by Angelique Watkins
We made our journey to Ghana
and the world will never be the same. The trip was indeed historical
but to say it was a total success would be a great understatement. We
returned home. Only Ghana can make that claim. Slavery to the Western
Hemisphere started in Ghana 521 years ago. Of the 46 slave castles that
were used 22 were in Ghana. Every nation in the slave business (England,
Spain, Portugal, France, Amsterdam and Arab tribes) utilized Ghana.
Thus, after 521 years of slave descendents intermarrying, it is indeed
safe to say that every one of us whose ancestors were victimized by
slavery has some amount of Ghanaian blood running in our veins. Ghana
is home to all of us!
Our
reception was truly overwhelming. We met with President J. A. Kufuor
where he talked with each of us one on one. The event was covered on
national television and was in every newspaper. Ambassador Alan
Kyerematen was our personal host and escort throughout the week. We had
personal presentations with 10 cabinet ministers. The King of Kyebi gave
us a very grand reception at his palace. We were also given 4 evening
receptions by US Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates and three Ghanaian
dignitaries.
We
will begin establishing light manufacturing within the Free Trade Zones
in Ghana. The first will be a computer assembly plant by Shikaneh
Koncepts from Prince Georges County, MD. A textile manufacturing
assembly plant will come soon also. Working in the Free Trade Zones is
quite attractive. It is tax and duty free.
One
must be cognizant that Ghana's minimum wage is $1 per day. An American
sock manufacturer has moved to Ghana to produce the socks and ship back
to the US and is saving $12 million per year just in the cost of doing
business.
We
will be establishing a Technical Assistance Program and a Capacity
Building Program for the construction industry of Ghana. Our member
architects, general contractors and construction managers will be
continuously engaged in this huge project.
Our
IT companies will be working together with the Ghana IT Association in
the deployment of Broadband and wireless communications throughout the
nation.
Ghana
will be building 140,000 affordable homes each year for the next six
years. Our modular housing initiative has reached an agreement with the
Minister of Housing and will be participating along with many other
housing developers and builders from within our membership.
Agri-Business
presents many opportunities and we will be aggressive in this area.
Fish farms and poultry raising are just two areas that will command
immediate attention.
We
are setting up a mutual fund for the Ghana Stock Market (60% growth in
last two years) and will also be promoting "Dual Citizenship"
between Ghana and the US. Tourism will also be a big growth industry
that we will soon oversee.
Going
home is so productive, enjoyable and healthy!
Mr.
H. C. Alford, NBCC President/CEO
Mr. F.
Jordan, NBCC Chairman
About
the Author - Writer,
Web Publishing, Book Reviewer, Freelancer, Christian Freelancer
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