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Melcom to build another store in
Sunyani
Sunyani (B/A), July 25, Ghanadot/GNA– Melcom Group of
Companies is to put up a new ultra modern shopping complex
at the cost of GHC 1 million in the Sunyani central business
area.
Mr Mahesh Arjanaas Melwani, Managing Director, said at the
sod cutting ceremony for the commencement of the project,
which included a shopping mall, was to afford customers in
Brong-Ahafo the opportunity to access the company’s numerous
products without travelling to Kumasi or Accra.
He said the three storey mall, expected to be completed in
12 months would offer customers 35,000 square feet of
shopping pleasure with the company’s stock of more than
5,000 items.
The Managing Director added that the project on completion
would employ 100 youth in the municipality as sales
attendants, saying it was the company’s aim to bring
shopping to the doorsteps of the people.
Mr Melwani explained that in fulfilment of its legal
responsibilities, Melcom Group “has been contributing
billions of cedis to government coffers by way of import
duties, VAT and company taxes every year.
“Last year’s contribution to government coffers was
approximately nine million Ghana Cedis,” adding that,
because of its reputation Melcom had been entrusted to
represent many world class brands of items including Sanyo,
Hitachi, Akai, Maxell, Yamaha, Cello, Optima, Thermos and
Motorola.
The Managing Director said Melcom Group had also started its
largest branch, covering approximately 80,000 square feet,
to be opened by April next year in Accra and that plans were
underway to build a shopping mall with Melcom as the anchor
store by year 2010.
Melcom was established in 1988 and opened its first retail
store in Accra central in 1990 followed by stores in Kumasi,
Takoradi, Tema, Tamale, Cape Coast, Sunyani, Swedru, Hohoe
and early this year in Kasoa.
Mr Melwani added that the company had since its
establishment provided direct employment to more than 1,200
people in the country.
Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Regional Minister, noted that the
laudable policies of the government in ensuring sound
economic environment had attracted a number of investors
into the country.
He gave the assurance that the government would continue to
strive and work hard to stabilize the economy for the
private sector to thrive.
Mr Baffour-Awuah urged Ghanaians to rally solidly behind the
government and vote massively for the NPP in the impending
December poll.
Mr Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive
explained that the land for the project became vacant after
the Municipal Assembly re-located the Stadium Primary and
Junior High School to a more conducive area that would
facilitate effective teaching and learning.
He said Melcom Group approached the Assembly and was made to
pay a commitment fee of GHC 60,000, stressing the Assembly
did not sell the land to the company.
The MCE disclosed that as part of the company’s social
responsibility, Melcom had donated exercise books worth GHC
2000, to be distributed to students of Stadium Primary
School and expressed the hope that the company would obtain
its business operation permit and pay its community rate
regularly.
Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri, Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional
Area, who presided, expressed optimism that the
establishment of the company’s shopping mall would serve as
a catalyst for brisk economic and business activities in the
municipality.
GNA
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