Dr Nii Moi Thompson, International Project Expert of the Local Economic Development (LED) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), has expressed concern about the slow pace with which problems associated with the informal sector are addressed even though it forms about 80-90% of the nation's workforce and could accelerate economic development. According to him, it is in recognition of this that the ILO in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders partnered to evolve means of addressing those problems under its "Decent Work Country Programme" to help create jobs and eradicate poverty. Dr Thompson said this when he opened a five-day technical training workshop in Cape Coast on Monday. It was for the leaders of small scale business associations from the Gomoa West District. He said the high poverty levels in the Central Region could be a thing of the past if Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies (MMDAs) could collaborate with these associations and explore ways to boost local enterprises. He added, however, that the "Decent Work Country Programme" was being implemented in eight districts in the Central Region and that it would soon move to other regions. Mr Thompson urged the beneficiary districts to avail themselves of the training workshops that seeks to build their capacities for economic progression of their districts. Dr Thompson said field visits by his office to the Gomoa West District revealed that existing small business associations lack the capabilities to deliver effective services to make them vibrant to improve the socio-economic status of its members and to facilitate job creation. He said lack of office accommodation for instance is hampering effective administration while the leaders also lack the requisite knowledge on issues such as administrative and financial management and therefore the workshop will help them to address the anomaly. Mr Emmanuel Baisie, National Project Officer of LED of the ILO, urged small and business scale entrepreneurs to join associations for them to have an umbrella body to regulate their activities, source funds and also benefit from such training programmes. Source: GNA