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The Head of Mathematics/Statistics Department of the Methodist University College, Ghana, Prof Osborne A.Y. Jackson, has advocated engaging in long-term business ventures as a measure to help the country�s ailing economy. Speaking at the second Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Ghana, honours night in Accra, he said it was better for businesses to go into long-term activities such as agriculture instead of businesses that gave quick windfalls, but which did not last. Prof Jackson, who spoke on the topic, �Avoiding the pitfalls of pursuing short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainable growth,� further noted that �if you go into agriculture with a few hectares of cassava, rice, maize or plantain, you will reduce your dependence on imports and save the nation some foreign exchange.� He bemoaned the fact that the country had done little in the medium and long term to increase its exports and reduce imports. �If we do increase our exports and reduce our imports then our negative terms of trade will reduce and hopefully turn positive,� he added. Prof Jackson admonished Ghanaians to invest in ventures that would ensure profits not only in the short term, but also in the long term. He urged management accountants to give the necessary assistance to people who might need their service in that regard. Highlight The highlight of the night was the award of a global Bronze Medal to Mr MacGeorge Gyimah, the CIMA Ghana Branch Secretary. Mr Malcom Furber, the immediate past President of CIMA Global, presented the global award to him for his meritorious service in promoting the activities of CIMA Ghana and Africa. The CIMA Ghana Branch Chairman, Mr Stephen A. Asare, in his address, allayed fears that the CIMA examinations were difficult to pass. He said that the widely held perception had adversely affected the growth of CIMA in Ghana in spite of its cherished demand globally. He added that �even though the standards of examination are high, it is necessary to ensure that those who are successful are clothed with the requisite capacity to deliver as financial professionals in business.� Mr Asare advised candidates to prepare adequately before writing the CIMA examinations and urged Ghanaians to aim at winning awards. Awards In all, 27 students were presented with certificates of recognition for excelling in the Enterprise, Performance and Financial pillars of the May 2013 and the November 2013 CIMA professional qualification examination. New CIMA members were also inducted.