As a result, they could not organise themselves to take up their regional allocation to enable them to increase production.

Dr Francis Banka, a former regional director of health, said this at Wa during a meeting of small-scale industries sponsored by Friedrich Nuaman Foundation (FNF).

The meeting, which attracted about 30 artisans made up of tailors, dressmakers, mechanics and carpenters, was to offer officials of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) and FNF an opportunity to discuss the level of assistance AGI could give the farmers.

Dr Banka said if industries in the region were to make any headway, there was the need for them to form cooperatives and viable associations that could attract financial institutions to give them credit and other assistance since the individuals were too poor to buy implements.

He appealed to AGI to set up offices to collaborate with National Board for Small Scale Industries to help the farmers.

Mr John Adzraki, an official of AGI, said AGI was doing its best to dissuade the government from imposing heavy taxes on the small-scale industries.

Senior Programmes Officer, FNF, Mr Stephen Bemile said they would continue to facilitate their activities to ensure that they were economically independent.

He pledged the support of the foundation to build the capacities of the people through workshops, conferences and other training programmes.