Mr. Adu-Mante said the workshop was unique for the region because of certain developments that had brought the region to the limelight such as Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), the new sports stadium, rehabilitation and expansion of the Tamale water system, revival of cotton and sorghum cultivation business.

Mr. Lawrence Adu-Mante, Managing Director of the Ghana Commercial Bank, has said the bank, with its wealth of experience over the years, had nurtured local business for the economic development of the country. He said the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) Division of the bank was managing about 678 facilities with a current value of GHc 23 million.

Mr Kwasi Oppong-Damoah, Volta Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), has said the inclination of Ghanaians to refuse to provide evidence during investigations of individuals for graft was a major drawback to development. He said the tendency made it difficult for agencies charged with dealing with economic saboteurs to accomplish their corporate responsibilities.

A doctor has appealed to journalists to use the media to educate the public on the dangers associated with unsafe abortion. Dr Barnabas Bamaaha Gandau, a gynaecologist at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, who said this at a one-day media sensitisation on the dangers of unsafe abortion also called on pregnant women to seek medical advice on complicated pregnancies.

Ghana continues to attract the attention of international monitoring groups for the progressive contributions she is making to the general well-being of her people, an official statement from the Office of the President said in Accra on Thursday. The statement signed by Mr Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President and Presidential Spokesman said, the latest of these groups - the prestigious Jeune Afrique Magazine - in its latest Development League Report published this month, ranked Ghana ninth on a table of 53 African countries.

The former President of the World Bank, Sir. James Wolfensohn has asked African countries to unite, because it is the only way the continent can achieve economic growth. He said the diversity of the continent of 53 countries puts Africa at a disadvantaged position when the continent has to negotiate for funds for projects.

The flag bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, says he would not hesitate to accede to a court request on him to show up. Dr Nduom who is in the United States for what party officials call family business, told Joy News in a telephone interview that he respects the law and would make sure he obeys the court’s order.

A smart-card system introduced in Ghana last month is making headway but nevertheless faces frustrations often associated with ambitious projects in developing economies. The electronic payment and settlement platform, dubbed "e-zwich," is aimed at bringing a new lease on life to financial institutions including savings and loans companies.