By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Sept 2, GNA – Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, has expressed concern over the flagrant disregard for punctuality among many Ghanaians.
He said the acceptance for meetings or public gatherings to commence significantly later than scheduled was mind-boggling and retrogressive.
The Oguaa Omanhen expressed his apprehension at the opening of an eight-day Central Region Trade and Investments Fair on Monday at the Adisasel school park in Cape Coast.
The programme, which was scheduled to commence at 0900 hours as advertised, was delayed for more than an hour.
“I got the letter of invitation indicating that the programme starts at 0900 hours, but it started late,” he said.
“Assuming we are competing with someone to produce something, the competitor would have gone an hour ahead to get the desired result. We must stop that negative habit because it does not help any of us.”
He said being conscious of time and having some respect for the schedules of others was fundamental to achieving personal and national goals.
To him, such laxity contributed to inefficiency and posed a substantial impediment to sustainable progress.
He called for a collective departure from unproductive habits towards fostering a culture of punctuality, thereby fostering enhanced productivity and advancing national development.
Prof Samuel Ato Duncan, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of COA Research and Manufacturing Company, endorsed Osabarimba’s concerns and urged all citizens to be punctual.
He called on stakeholders such as governmental bodies, agricultural departments, research institutions, and consumers to collaboratively protect the county’s greenery.
They should also ensure the sustainability of the nation’s agricultural sector.
He pledged to engage in partnership with other organisations to pursue policies and initiatives aimed at creating substantial employment opportunities for the youth, to alleviate poverty within the populace.
Despite the abundant resources and economic potential of the region, most of its natural resources remained untapped, he said.
Mr Lawrence Agyinsam, the CEO of Ghana EXIM Bank, urged businesses in the region to embrace technological advancement for growth.
He encouraged potential investors to explore the vast investment opportunities available in the Region.
The Central Region Expo, themed: “Connecting minds, creating business opportunities in the Central Region,” is set to provide avenues for technology transfer and employment collaborations.
It is also to display the region’s investment potential and propel it towards rapid development.
Alongside captivating cultural exhibitions, the expo also aims to elevate the global visibility of the region, foster partnerships, and stimulate economic growth in Cape Coast.
GNA