The Western Regional Chairman of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and a lecturer at the Takoradi Technical University, Mr. Lord Kwame Segbeawu, has praised the government’s policy that removes academic fees for first-year university students.
He described the initiative as a major relief for many families and called for its continuation, regardless of which government is in power.
Speaking in an interview on Spice FM, Mr. Segbeawu said, “I have a very special interest in the first-year no academic fee policy. I’ve witnessed how students struggle to come to the university when they are newly admitted. I hope and pray that it stays forever, even if a new government comes into power. I’ll be glad to see my children benefit from it too.”
Mr. Segbeawu also spoke about the role of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which he said was founded by Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, to promote and protect local businesses.
He said the Chamber is involved in business advocacy, capacity building, online marketing, trade fairs, market research, export promotion, and helping businesses find potential clients both locally and abroad. They also manage export documents for their members and support both private and public sector trade efforts, especially through partnerships with institutions like the Ministry of Trade.
Turning attention to the Western Region’s economy, Mr. Segbeawu mentioned agriculture, mining, and oil as the key sectors. He, however, expressed concern over the lack of proper support for agriculture, which he said has led to high food prices in the markets. “Agriculture isn’t receiving the needed attention, and that’s affecting food prices across the region,” he noted.
He also explained that while mining is spread across the region and contributes to the country’s GDP, the lack of proper regulation is a growing concern. Tourism, according to him, has also been overlooked and needs more focus from both local and national authorities.
Mr. Segbeawu further called for more development plans from local assemblies such as the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) and the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to help drive growth across the region.
He expressed worry over the impact of illegal mining (galamsey), stating that it has made Sekondi-Takoradi less attractive to foreign investors. “Galamsey is driving investors away,” he said.
In conclusion, Mr. Segbeawu encouraged the youth and entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in agriculture, trade, and other business areas. He said GNCCI is ready to support anyone with an interest in helping grow the region’s economy.
Tony Krapa
