SOCIAL MARKET ECONOMY IN GHANAIAN CONTEXT

The first presentation for the day was done by Dr. Kwadwo Aidoo-Asante of the Department of Political Science, Legon. He explained that the current German economy model which has seen Germans successfully rebuild their economy into one of the strongest is especially relevant for the developing economies like Ghana. He added that the SME concept is very important today because it promotes the values of competitiveness and profitability while at the same time advocating the moderate influence of the state regulatory authority to ensure that the interest of the ordinary citizens are not overwhelmed by the profit seeking tendencies of the former. The resource person further explained that the role of the state in SME is not to stifle the growth of the private sector but rather to play a regulatory role that ensures free enterprise and has responsibilities towards the people in the state on whose toil and sweat it is making profits.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT - THE ROLE OF TRADERS

Mr. Agyeman–Badu, Chief Budget Analyst of the Techiman Municipal Assembly presented the second paper on the topic “Protecting the Environment - the Role of Traders”. He said traders as part of their contribution to protecting the environment can do the following:

• Create awareness among members of traders association.

• Teach others about things which damage the environment.

• Encourage people to live in a way that does not harm the environment.

• As individuals and groups, think of ways to reduce damage to the environment due to business activities.

• Close your fridge, acquire CTL fridges.

• Use energy saving bulbs.

• Plant trees if possible at business sites/locations.

• Provide litter bins to collect waste at business sites.

• Periodically clean and distill drains at market places.

• Discourage open burning of refuse at market places.

• Ensure waste generated due to business is disposed in manners that do not harm the environment.

Bringing his presentation to an end Mr. Stephen Agyeman Badu said in the past many people did not think the environment had a relationship with our lives and this led to man's activity increasingly damaging the environment. He further explained that whatever happens to the environment directly affects us and it is time for everybody to feel concern about the environment.

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT - THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY

This presentation was done by Mr. Emmanuel Danso from the Office of the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund. He said although there are laws protecting the environment for reasons best known, enforcement of the laws is weak. Mr. Danso said as members from the various communities we can do the following to stop further degradation and pollution to the environment:

• Sensitization/Education of community members on the environment

• Communities organizing periodic clean-ups to rid their areas of flit

• Communities supporting their leaders in the enforcement of laws to punish environmental offenders

• Inculcating in the youth the habit of environmental hygiene and cleanliness by forming environmental clubs in the basic schools etc.

After the three presentations, there was time for an open audience discussion on the topics and a group workshop leading into four group presentations on environmental topics.

The organizers of the program were highly impressed by the attendance and moreover the level of participation. The lessons and suggestions that emerged should be put into practice to motivate others to follow.