Cedi's fall is artisans gain – Chamber of Commerce

The Vice President of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prosper Adabla has asked local artisans to take advantage of the cedis erratic value to boost revenue by exporting quality products of international standards at cheaper costs.

Addressing a group of exhibitors and some media men at the tape-cutting ceremony to commence the 5th Furniture and Décor Exhibition in Accra, Mr Adabla acknowledged the upshots of the weakening cedi but said it makes exporting cheaper.

He, however, did not hesitate to call for patronage of quality, made-in-Ghana products of international standards.

“As a nation we depend largely on foreign goods to the deterrent of our local industry due to failure on the part of local manufacturers to produce to meet international standards and the insatiable desire of Ghanaians for foreign products,” he said.

Mr. Adabla’s proposition adds to a call by the Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Kofi Wampah and Agric Minister, Fiifi Kwetey for export-oriented businesses to exploit the depreciating cedi to help boost the country’s balance of trade position.

The chamber, he said, has embarked a campaign to promote the acceptance and patronage of made-in-Ghana products, especially those from the furniture industry.

Mr. Richard Abbey, Events Coordinator of Xodus Communications, organizers of the four-day long exhibition, said the event was to showcase products of both local and foreign woodworkers while promoting the exchange of ideas on the industry. He was dissatisfied with poor government support for young entrepreneurs and asked for special incentives to be given to local SMEs.

Mr. G. Coleman from the Forestry Commission advised a shift from the use of more traditional and almost extinct sources of wood like Odum and Mahogany to the use of bamboo.

Some of the local exhibitors who spoke to the B&FT expressed optimism for the local woodwork industry if Ghanaians patronized more made-in-Ghana products.

“Competition is good for the industry. However, it reduces employment locally and takes a toll on the local furniture businesses,” Mr Ekow Nkrumah-Bentum, CEO of Kings Group of Companies said.

The 5th Furniture and Décor Exhibition brought together ten woodwork exhibitors including Simbin’s Furniture, Melcom, Unique Furniture, Latex Foam Company and the Pioneer Bamboo Processing Company. They showcased furniture and home décor products comprising recliners, kitchen cabinets, beds, living room sets and bamboo blinds.