APPENDIX As regards decentralisation of the Registrar-General’s Department offices, please note that decentralised offices have already been set up in Tamale, Takoradi and Kumasi. Negotiations are on going to utilize the presence of Post Offices in all district capitals to serve as registration points. Access to finance was identified as one of the constraints to Private Sector Development, particularly in the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises – Attempts to address credit constraints faced by SMEs, include the establishment of the Venture Capital Trust Fund which is to be financed by 20% of proceeds from the National Reconstruction Levy. The Fund is to provide start-up capital for new and young entrepreneurs. In the area of non-financial assistance to new entrepreneurs, initiatives include the establishment of a Business Incubator in Accra (the BusyInternet Co Ltd office complex) with assistance from the World Bank, provides office space and business advisory and support services to entrepreneurs. The initial advert in 2004 was highly over-subscribed. Regarding consumer protection, a Consumer Protection Association does exist in Ghana that has undertaken public education on Consumer Rights and advocating the passage of Consumer Protection Law. Of late though, they are quiet due to financial constraints. Socio-Economic Development In reference to the statement that there were no suggestions as to specific measures that could be put in place to effect changes, our comment is that it is not consistent. Firstly, many solutions are provided in the Country Self-Assessment Report, secondly, the many suggestions that were proposed and well noted and applied during the Country Review Mission and thirdly the issues as outlined in the Ghana National Programme Of Action. Chapter Six In respect of Chapter 6, the Conclusion, we wish to observe the following: that in addition to the cross-cutting issues identified by the Panel, the improvement and efficiency of the Justice system, deepening Public Sector Reforms and enhancing the role of Parliament, were also identified by Government, as cross-cutting issues. CONCLUSION It is our fervent hope that this first APRM Review exercise, will provide us all with lessons and shared experiences that can benefit other assessments according to the principles of the APRM. 151