Made in Ghana Solo Exhibition could enhance trade - Ben Heh

The Lagos Television Station (LTV) blue roof exhibition ground at Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos was filled to the brim yesterday (3rd of Sept) when the first Made In Ghana Solo Exhibition was declared open by one of Nigeria's respected business icon and philanthropist, Chief (Dr) Omolade Okoya Thomas.

First Made in Ghana Solo Exhibition put together by Vintage Visions designed to pave way for Ghana Manufacturers into Africa's largest market is to hold for five days, with Business Seminar on ''Doing Business in Nigeria'' coming up on Wednesday, while market visitation/tour of Lagos metropolis follows on Thursday and Networking cocktail and Gala Night are expected to take place on Friday and cap with final exhibition on Saturday.


In the opening speech of Chief Executive Officer of Vintage Vision, Otunba Michael Ajayi, he said: ''This is a major milestone in the history of the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.


“Ghana prides itself as the gateway to Africa hence this expo is an unrivaled platform to provide Ghanaian manufacturers and exporters an opportunity to reach out to and explore the vast potentials of Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general being the largest single market in Africa”.


Speaking on the advantage the exhibition offers the participants, Otunba added: “It will help develop awareness of huge export opportunities available for high quality locally manufactured products from Ghana and create goodwill for them in the huge market''.


The exhibition, which featured numerous Ghanaian manufacturers and service providers such as Coconut Groove, Y Kummey, Yamok Industries, Dan Tee Investments, J. A. Plant Pool, Global Media Alliance, First Atlantic Bank, Capital O2 and much more witnessed the presence of representative of Consulate General of Ghana in Nigeria: Ben Heh, Minister Trade and Investment; Managing Director, First Atlantic Bank,Ghana, Gabriel Edga and Assistant Director(South West) Nigeria Investment Promotion Centre, Paul Uzor Onyekachi.


Speaking at the event, Ben Heh acknowledges that the idea of paving way through for Ghanaian manufacturers into Nigeria with this project is a laudable one.

''It is beautiful seeing this happening, because it will not only translate into unifying the two countries, but also will be economically beneficial to the two countries, and more beneficial to our Ghanaian business men and women, looking at the size of market available in Nigeria,'' he said.


In the address of the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Omolade Okoya refreshed the audience memory of the relationship that exist between Nigeria and Ghana which began centuries back ''Trade between Nigeria and Ghana is no news, as we all know, because it started centuries back but civilisation and development has expand the scope, as well put up policies that is serving has barriers.


He, therefore, urged both countries to pull down these barriers to enhance trade between the two countries.


Adding his voice to what their contribution to making easy transfer of money between the two countries possible, the Managing Director of First Atlantic Bank, Gabriel Edga, reiterated the financial institution's commitment to standing in the gap for financial support and ensuring that financial transaction between the countries are made easy.


However, partners of the first Made in Ghana Solo Exhibition: First Atlantic Bank, Ghana, J.A Plant Pool, LTV and Chief Omolade Okoya Thomas were presented with awards of recognition.