The 22nd Ghana International trade fair has been launched in Accra on Wednesday, February 28, at the Ghana Trade Fair Centre (GTFC) with a call to Ghanaians to patronise made in Ghana goods to enrich the local economy.
Launched under the theme ‘Industrialising Ghana; Creating jobs’, this year’s fair will give prominence to Ghana made products and prioritise ways in which locally manufactured goods can mingle with internationally made ones.
The CEO of the GTFC, Dr Agnes Adu, speaking at the event, said that this year’s fair would focus on the local industry.
“Basically, we are focusing on our own industry here in Ghana. Our made in Ghana goods… is of utmost importance to us,” she stated. She revealed that about 400 out of the 600 exhibitors registered for this year’s fair were Ghanaians, whereas the remaining exhibitors were from around the globe.
According to her, this would in no way discourage foreign goods from being showcased properly at the fair.
Addressing the press at the launch, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah expressed his astonishment at some of the made-in-Ghana products.
“When I entered the made in Ghana Pavilion…, I could not believe that some of the things I saw there could pass for made in Ghana products,” he admitted.
He advised that, the only way locally manufactured goods could compete with foreign ones was for Ghanaians to patronize the products and “pay particular attention to goods that are made in Ghana and let us put our hopes in these goods.
He commended the management and staff of the Trade fair centre for their roles in organizing this year’s fair with what he said was “expertise in showing what they represent,” and reviving the centre to its past glory.
One district, One factory and 2018’s fair
The GTFC has partnered with the one district one factory development project of government for this year’s fair. The coordinator of government’s one district one factory development project, Mrs Gifty Ohene-Konadu, speaking at the event, said that this year’s theme resonated with government’s commitment to transform Ghana’s economy into an industrialised one.
“This year’s fair, focusing on one district one factory programme, will bring together corporate leaders, business persons, industrialists, local and international investors,” she revealed.
This will enable those who patronise the fair to find out more about the programme and its prospects for Ghana.
She was hopeful that this would provide “an avenue for joint partnerships and opportunities among prospective investors.
This year’s exhibition will also allow the participation of the 216 metropolitan and district assemblies and the ten administrative regions.
