Accra, (Greater Accra) 9 Oct.,
Professor John Atta Mills, the Vice President, last night assured investors of a bright future and urged them to join in the resurgence of the country’s fortunes. Prof. Mills was speaking at a reception to mark 50 years of Taysec and its parent company, Taylor Woodrow, in the country. Accompanied by his wife, Naadu, the Vice President praised Taysec for its ” unblemished continuous operation in the country” during which the company chalked monumental feats. ”Many of the landmarks of our youth, which many of us take for granted, were the work of Taysec’s parent company, Taylor Woodrow”. He said over the 50 years, the company has shared with Ghanaians ”all the periods of economic decline and stagnation”, and its confidence in a resurgence of Ghana’s fortunes has ‘borne fruit’. The Vice President said the prospects for the next 50 years are bright, ”not only for Taysec but for all of us, provided we work hard to ensure the continuation of the present healthy, vibrant economic environment”. He urged new and recent investors in the economy to take a cue from the British-Ghanaian company’s solid achievements, and build a sound foundation which would be worthy of celebration in the future. Professor Mills commended the board, management and staff of the company for their efforts and wished them ”many more years of success”. Among the guests were members of the council of state, ministers, diplomats and high profile businessmen. Mr Michael Walker, Taylor Woodrow Director for Africa, said a book, ”Together we Build”, containing a chronicle of the development of the company together with that of Ghana over the 50-year period would soon be made available to the reading public. The Director thanked the government and Ghanaians for the support given the company over the years particularly since the ‘marriage’ contract between Taylor Woodrow and Social Security Bank, 20 years ago. The Managing Director of Taysec, Mr A.L. Holmes, announced that a special jubilee bonus is being paid to each of the company’s 3,000 workers. Proposing a toast, Mr Ian Mackley, the British High Commissioner in Ghana hoped the co-operation between the two countries would continue to be of mutual benefit to their peoples. Mr K.B Asante, Ghana’s former High Commissioner in Britain, who presided said the success story of Taysec is an invitation to investors to come into the country. As part of the jubilee celebrations, there would be a football gala on November one involving six teams from the company’s various construction sites around the country. With a staff of more than 200 and a workforce of 2,500 and an inventory of 1,000 items of plant and equipment, Taysec ranks among Ghana’s leading investors. Among its landmarks are the Ambassador and the Golden Tulip hotels in Accra, the Ringroad in Accra and the Kintampo-Tamale road, the Accra International Airport and its runway.
