Volta Trade and Investment Fair gathers steam

The fourth Volta Trade and Investment and Cultural Fair in Ho is gathering steam as it opens officially on, Tuesday, November, 26.

The event saw less than 10 percent of stands occupied when exhibition and trading started on Friday, November 22.

Checks by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Monday revealed that although close to 70 percent of stands were occupied, patronage was a bit low but picking up.

GNA interacted with some exhibitors, most of whom expressed worry over what they described as gaps in the planning of the event.

Mama Awude Akua I, a Queen of Abutia Teti and Owner of RM Couture told GNA publicity was poor, and that even people in Ho suburbs seemed unaware of the fair.

"We are exhibiting things people would buy. Where are they? Even workers in Ho don't know about the fair", she lamented.

Mama Awude said visitors were only window shopping, and that some government workers who visited her stand complained they were not paid, and even selected items they would buy when their salaries arrived.

The Queen-mother asked for a possible extension of the fair, and also suggested that the event be held annually to market the region.

Chis, who operates a stand for Zutron Pharmaceuticals said turnout as compared to the last event, was "not encouraging", and also blamed the situation on low publicity.

"Publicity on radio is low. Even taxi drivers who are to ferry people to this place are not aware. It must be made better for us who are here to see good returns of our companies.

Esther, a dealer in children's learning materials said organisers have "a lot to do next time".

"People come in and say they were passing by and were attracted by the music", she said, adding that advertisement for the event must be sustained.

She advised organisers to bring food vendors closer so that exhibitors did not have to move far from their stands when they needed to eat.

Esther also complained that toilet facilities were also far and had no running water, inconveniencing exhibitors and visitors.

"At least place two movable toilets close to us", she appealed.

She advised that organisers must step up publicity, and mobilise students and other groups to visit the fair.

An exhibitor from Accra, only known as Lydia, who deals mostly in African clothing, claimed she had been to all previous editions of the fair and described this year's as the worst.

"If a market would be good, it starts from the beginning. Am lodging at a hotel and I have sold nothing. The food is also far away and must come closer", she said.

She advised that more radio and TV stations be engaged to provide the needed publicity.

Dickson Akpa, who runs a stand for Frediland boutique in Ho suggested that organisers considered a float through the Municipality, saying "it's not too late for interventions".

The owner of Tasivi Enterprise, a dealer in plastic wares in Ho said due to the four year break, organisers were expected to inject more efforts into publicity.

Some visitors to the fair also told GNA they were virtually unaware and only chanced on the occasion.

However, some exhibitors are optimistic the show would gather momentum and receive the needed patronage.

A member of the planning committee agreed that publicity was low and described the patronage as "not the best."

GNA observed a wide variety of businesses and enterprises at the fair, which is on the theme "Sustainable Investment and Industrial Growth through Trade Promotion."

It is expected to attract 2,000 visitors and about 200 local and foreign exhibitors.

Notable among them so far are small to medium scale industries from across the country and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Zoomlion, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and the Centre for National Culture.

Also present are Latex Foam, K Monsi Industries, Ernest Chemist Limited, the Department of Social Welfare, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), and the Ho Rehabilitation Centre.

The various Municipal and District Assemblies also have their investment and tourism potentials on display.

Players in the craft industries are also around with food joint operators including; the popular Agbenoxevi Chop Bar in Ho.