Buy Ghana First campaign launched

Accra, July 24, GNA- The national passion to promote made-in-Ghana goods was given a push on Monday, when the out-going Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development (PSD) and President's Special Initiative (PSI) outdoored a high powered committee to implement the vision.

Mr. Alan Kyerematen, who unveiled the 13-member National Campaign Committee at a pre-launch press briefing in Accra, slammed the sentimental attachment of the citizenry to imported goods. He said Ghana could fulfil the dreams of becoming a middle income economy if Ghanaians buy goods manufactured locally. The Committee, chaired by Mr. Sandy Osei Agyeman, an entrepreneur, comprises representatives from the Ministry of Trade, PSD and PSI, Ministry of Tourism and Diasporan Relations, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Advertising Association of Ghana.

The rest are the Chartered Institute of marketing, Ghana, Institute of Packaging, Ghana Standards Board, Ghana Trade Fair Company (GTFC), Ghana Employers Association and Association of Small Scale Industries. The terms of reference of the Committee include the implementation of a well structured, comprehensive and well-focussed programme to promote products manufactured in Ghana, in order to stimulate demand for the made-in-Ghana label.

Members are also expected to consolidate and effectively co-ordinate public and private sector initiatives and programmes, to promote made-in-Ghana goods.

Mr Kyerematen said the National Campaign, which would be launched in September this year, would oversee the establishment of National Product Gallery, the implementation of National Friday Wear, Consumer Credit Scheme and Industrial Sub-Contracting.

He said the Campaign would also be preoccupied with Public Procurement, Exclusive Made-in-Ghana Trade Fairs and Exhibitions in Regional and District capitals, Export Trade Houses and Foreign Trade Representatives Programme.

Mr Kyerematen expressed the need for national consciousness and pride to promote made-in-Ghana products. "It is a national commitment and a contract that we are all signing," he said.

Ms. Esther Ofori, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GTFC, said buying made-in-Ghana goods was a call to patriotism. Mr Tony Oteng Gyasi, President of AGI implored Ghanaians to show commitment to local products by patronising them even if the quality is poor.

He said it was through such patronage that manufacturers could gain the necessary capital and experience to improve on their products.