AGI commends gov’t for ban on importation of cables

The Association of Ghana Industries has lauded President John Mahama's directives for the immediate ban on the importation of electrical cables and transformers.

According to the President, local businesses must take up the challenge to produce for the local market adding that many fire outbreaks in the country can be prevented if local businesses begin investing in the manufacturing of quality electrical cables and transformers.

“Cables must be produced here, transformers must be produced here, meters must be produced here because our Ghanaian businessmen can set up those businesses to produce them”.

Mrs Quartey-Papafio, Chairperson of Electricals and Electronics and Energy Sector of AGI, said labour productivity was critical in the private sector and that with direct local control and participation in the extraction and use of the natural resources, the nation can develop.

She said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency to commemorate African Industrialization Day of the United Nations which falls on November 20.

The day was created for governments and other organizations in African countries to examine ways to stimulate and refine Africa's industrialization process and draw attention to the issues and challenges of industrialization.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth”.

Mr Kwasi Ayim Darke, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries, said industrialization should drive African leaders to provide regulatory and financial infrastructure for the continent’s development.

He said the international community must work with African governments and institutions to enhance research, investments, deploy the technologies for a climate-synergic, low-carbon growth path to feed Africa's increasing population and increase the living standards by constructing the industries of the future.

Mr Darke said government needed to do more to advance the cause of the industry and make them a more influential engine of growth for the country.

He commended President John Mahama for instructing the Electricity Company Ghana to procure all its electrical inputs such as transformers, and conductors locally to boost the country’s local companies.

President Mahama said he had confidence in companies such as Reroy Cables and Tropical Cables to be up to the task and move the local industry forward.

“During the day a special effort is made to unite leaders or representatives of as many African countries as possible to stimulate discussion on the industrialization of Africa and assess the progress made in the past year”, he added.

He said during the celebration, “flags of international organizations in Africa, such as the African Union, or a selection of national flags may also be displayed”.