Volta exhibition starts off slowly

Ho, Dec 2, GNA - A 10-day Trade Exhibition at Ho to showcase mainly goods made and sold in the Volta Region dubbed "Volta Expo 2003" got to a slow start on Monday with only 19 out of the 50 exhibitors expected to mount stands participating.

Mr Micca Dulefu, a Fair Consultant with Mic-DV Total Marketing and Communication, the organisers of the exhibition, said at the opening ceremony that business would pick up as more of the exhibitors who might be facing transportation problems arrived.

He assured the exhibitors that their investments would be rewarded at the close of exhibition, which is under the theme "Uncovering the Potential of the Volta Region".

Mr Harrison Kofi Abutiate, Immediate Past President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana, who opened the exhibition urged the participants to "look beyond the spot-cash-sales but rather evaluate the rewards out of this exhibition in terms of exposure and contacts".

"Open your eyes and discover your strengths and opportunities as well as your strengths and weaknesses."

He said the exhibition, coming on the heels of the recent investment conference on the Volta Region, indicated the increasing focus on the development of the region.

Mr Abutiate appealed to traditional rulers to contribute to the development of the region by releasing land for farming and other economic activities and embracing new ways of doing things.

He told people hailing from the region to support its development. "If you do not come back here (region) alive you will come back dead".

Turning to HIV/AIDS, Mr Abutiate said the only reason why the prevalent rate of the disease had stabilised in the developed countries and rising in Africa especially was the endemic poverty on the continent.

Among the exhibitors are the Department of Fashion Design of the Ho Polytechnic, which put on show bridal wears, Readwide Limited, which is displaying books and Gentrac Ventures, showcasing electronic appliances.

Other goods on display are textiles including, tie and dye materials and agro-chemicals.