AGI ramps up pressure on government

The Vice President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ato Pamford, has assured businesses of the Association’s continued efforts to get government to provide the needed incentives for local businesses and ensure adequate production of “Made in Ghana” goods.

He said there is the need to encourage consumption of locally produced goods as concerns about the country’s dependence on imported goods get the attention of policymakers following the recent fall in the cedi’s value.

“We have a duty to take this call seriously, especially in the wake of recent challenges regarding our currency.

‘‘We (AGI) have always held the view that the only way to stabilise our currency, and for that matter the economy, is to ensure import substitution by producing more for our own consumption and cut down on the imports,’’ he said.

Mr. Pamford said this when the AGI held its first Industry and Technology (InduTech) fair 2014 in Takoradi on the theme ‘Empowering existing and emerging industries for sustainable development”.

Over 40 exhibitors, made up of entrepreneurs from trade, industry, garment, manufacturers, textiles, food and beverages, financial services, agribusinesses, plastics among others participated in the three-day fair.

The fair aimed to create opportunities for local businesses and to also offer potential investors in the Western Region a common platform to form strategic partnerships for industrial development.

Additionally, the event showcased local technology as well as locally produced goods and services in an effort to create a platform for linkages between industry and the appropriate technologies as interest in oil and gas wanes in the region.

Speaking at the opening of the fair, Major Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, the Acting Minister of Trade and Industry, in an address stressed the need for manufacturers to be innovative. saying: “We need to change the way we do things for us to be in business as well as sustain it”.

He said the Youth Enterprise and Support (YES) initiative has been established for the Ghanaian youth to demonstrate their creativity and skills in the provision of goods and services.

‘‘Government of Ghana and in particular, the Ministry of Trade and Industry will continue to support and work with the private sector through bodies such as AGI in their endeavour to support economic growth by producing internationally acceptable made-in Ghana goods,’’ he said.

Awulae Annor Adjaye, a representative from the Western Regional House of Chiefs, advised businesses to add value to commodities produced in the country as efforts are made to reduce imports.

‘‘As industry, it is important to add more value to finished products and establish external relationships for marketing of products -- the quality of product and good customer relationships are important to improve, sustain and maintain business’’ he added.