Economic growth relies on locally made goods - Minister

Dr Ekwow Spio-Gabrah, Minister of Trade and Industry (MOTI), has said Ghana’s economic growth would rely much on the attention and importance Ghanaians attach to the consumption of locally made goods and services.

He said the patronization of locally made goods and services by citizens would not only offer numerous opportunities for the country’s economic, national growth and integration but rather it would help promote business building relationships, trade, exchange linkages and innovations.

“Again, when Made-in-Ghana goods are patronized extensively by us, as citizens of the Ghana, it will create jobs that will improve our competitive vitality, and above all provide stakeholders a trusted platform to interact with the industry and economic operators”, Dr Spio-Gabrah stated in Accra on Wednesday at a Press launch of the Grand Sales 2014, Co-locating with Made-in-Ghana Fair.

He said he recognised that co-locating the two distinct events would gain serious attention in the international exhibition industry, as the concept allows for the creation of bigger platforms for exhibitors, visitors and trade buyers who would converge and transact one-stop-shop business activity.

“As a consumer fair, it aims at boosting both internal and international trade especially to promote Ghana’s exports to create employment," Dr Spio-Gabrah said.

The 10-day fair which is scheduled to take place from December 15 to December 24 at the Ghana International Trade Fair Centre La-Accra seeks to promote made in Ghana goods.

According to Dr Spio-Gabrah, the target for this year’s Fair would not be less than 25,000 visitors adding that “Organizers are also expecting over 400 exhibitors to take part in the fair," he said.

He said the 2014 Grand Sales which would be on the theme “Bringing Buyers and Sellers together” would come with activities such as the Made-In-Ghana Health Walk slated for December 20th 2014, a musical concert coming off on December 24th, a daily aerobics session from 15 hours to 17 hours and a Free Health Screening.

He appealed to all companies, entities and potential exhibitors who had not yet registered to earnestly do so, so as to enjoy the maximum benefits that these platforms offer both local and international economic operators.

Dr Spio-Gabrah also urged the public to promote and patronize made in Ghana goods as by changing their preference and taste for foreign goods to the patronage of Ghana made goods and services would reduce the quantum of the country’s importers and arrest the pressure on the cedi over major world currencies.

Mrs Hannah Amoateng, Board Chairperson, Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited (GHTFCL), called for partnership between MOTI and the GHTFCL that would help promote Ghana’s trade Agenda.

She also called on the public to patronize made in Ghana goods as the fair and exhibition would be used to promote the quality of goods produced locally in the county.