Children must be trained to love local products - Minister

Mr Murtala Mohammed, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, has called on Ghanaians to imbibe in their children the patronage of made-in- Ghana products.

“The only way to change the destiny of the country is to build the confidence of our children to patronise made-in-Ghana products,” Mr Mohammed stated at the re-opening of the African Art and Culture Development Company (AACD) Limited in Accra.

He has, therefore, urged artisans to produce quality products to help achieve the goal.

He said the Ministry of Trade and industry is willing to assist in order for the approach not to become just a dream but a reality.

“We need to do it in a way that will be attractive to consumers by using quality products,” he said.

He noted that African artists project the country’s culture, showcase their talents through their crafts and the re-opening of AACD , a good avenue in the promotion of made-in-Ghana products is a laudable initiative.

He said through the re-opening tourism would be promoted as it is not about artistry but could serve as a backbone to the country.

“When you sell you are bringing in foreign currency,” he added.

Mr Israel Kwabla Tsegah, the Consultant for African Market, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the re-opening of the AACD would enable tourist, art collectors and the public to have a very safe and a reliable market to purchase their art and craft items.

“The re-opening of the African Market is to re-establish a one stop shopping experience for art and craft products from Africa with special emphasis on art and craft cultural artifacts made by Ghanaians,” he said.

Mr Tsegah said it is the main objective of AACD to establish a ready market for young talented African artist to sell their works at an easily recognised shop.

“We have realised over the years, craftsmen in our country do not have a modern shop to sell their master pieces, that is the main reason why we are re-opening Africa Market,” he said.

He called on government and the public to give necessary prominence to the industry in the economic equation.

He also encouraged individuals and organisations to invest in the industry in order to fuel a surge in production and patronage of arts and crafts for tourism development.

Mr Tsegah said African Market, which was first opened at Osu Re in 2001 deals in African sculptures, African fabrics and fashion, beads, paintings and fine arts, pottery and ceramic wears, leather crafts and antiques.

Nana Bright Oduro- Kwarten, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Art, said the essence of tourism is to create wealth, and so the re-location of AACD from Osu to East Legon is going to facilitate business.

He said since Ghana’s tourism is based on its culture and creative arts, there is the need for Ghanaians to patronise their home –made crafts as that would help give jobs to the youth and a flip to artisan’s crafty works.

Dr Henry Lartey, the Flagbearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party, urged Ghanaians to eat what they grow and grow what they eat.

He explained that “eating what you and growing what you eat is about Africans and not food alone, and so there is the need for Ghanaians to patronise African homemade craft works”.