Government is committed to enhancing and building a strong and vibrant rural economy to reduce unemployment, poverty and rural-urban migration. Ms Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, made this known when she inaugurated the Rural Technology Facilities (RTFs) at Goaso in Asunafo North Municipality and Bechem in Tano North District of the Brong Ahafo Region. She said the government was establishing the facilities countrywide to support the transfer of appropriate technology to farmers, agro-processors, metal based artisans, micro and small entrepreneurs, as well as the training of unemployed youth as apprentices in viable artisanal trades. Ms Tetteh said the interventions were being funded by the government, International Fund for Agricultural Development and the African Development Bank (ADB). “They are aimed at ensuring that the technology promotion and support to apprenticeship training component of the Rural Enterprises Project (REP) becomes a reality. “The RTF facilities consist of technical workshops with appropriate equipment and qualified technical personnel for technical training, promotion and disseminating of appropriate technology to support micro and small-scale enterprises at the technical level,” Ms Tetteh said. She said so far, 66 districts in the country were participating in the project, comprising 53 additional districts selected for the phase Two. Ms Tetteh emphasised that the interventions had resulted in the establishment of more than 21,000 businesses and created more than 52,000 jobs in all 10 regions. She said government was establishing 21 RTFs in the country to lead in the transfer of appropriate technology to rural enterprises. Fifteen of them had already been inaugurated and are providing high quality services to the people. Source: GNA/Ghana