Ahaspora Young Professionals launch #IchooseMadeInGhana campaign

The #IchooseMadeInGhana campaign consists in purchasing something made in Ghana (from accessories and clothes to food or any type of local services), taking a photo of it, and posting it on social media with the hashtag, “#IchooseMadeInGhana”.

This easy three-step movement was officially launched at the March 2019 Happy Hour held at the Gold Coast Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Accra and organized by Ahaspora, a group renowned to be Ghana’s most engaged organization of professionals from Ghana and the diaspora.

The idea was birthed in early March, barely five weeks after the USD-to-GHS conversion rate hit the appalling 5 GHS mark for the first time in the history of the country’s currency. An engaging conversation on the Ahaspora platform ensued, touching on the harsh realities of the distressing fall of the Ghanaian Cedi against the US Dollar.

Concerned members of the online community subsequently identified “buying made in Ghana goods and using services provided by Ghanaian companies” as “one of the many solutions to help our economy back on its feet”.

For that reason, the theme of the March 2019 Ahaspora Happy Hour -- a gathering which happens every last Thursday of every month -- was centered on “Wearing Ghana”. A fashion contest took place among all the guests at the Ghanaian-owned venue to crown the Ohene and Ohemaa of the night. The “Best Dressed” winning couple -- Cyril Nii Ayitey Tetteh and Muhammida El Muhajir -- were seated on royal stools and received authentic Ghanaian beads and necklaces from accessories creator, “Kystal by Prisca”, to set the trend.

“Wearing Ghana and promoting general Ghanaian culture is not a one-month activity but a lifestyle we hope to see all year,” Team Ahaspora declared in a statement this week.

“Don't forget to hashtag #IChooseMadeInGhana when you post on social media. Let's promote our own for a better nation!”

The organization’s founder and chairperson, Christabel Steel-Dadzie, reiterated the goal of the #IchooseMadeInGhana campaign as she noted:

“Essentially, given the importance of this movement and the fact that we believe Ghanaians do want to see a change [in the economy], we believe that the campaign will be sustained.

“We are also looking to social and traditional media outlets to support our initiative,” she firmly concluded on the matter.