Ghanaians asked to patronise local products

Mr Akrasi Sarpong, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, at Ministry of Trade and Industry, on Wednesday called on Ghanaians to patronise Made in Ghana goods in order to help build the economy.

Mr Sarpong said in an interview with GNA that the main reason behind the Made in Ghana goods campaign which was inaugurated in December last year, is to change the behaviour and attitude of Ghanaians and build their confidence in local products.

He added that when Ghanaians patronise local goods it would help create employment, foster development, and sustain the value of the cedi.

Mr Sarpong said, if fashion designers decide to use only made in Ghana fabrics it would help the manufacturing companies to produce more fabrics and in turn pay more taxes to the benefit of the economy.

He said various committees have been put in place to help manage the campaign, including a communication team, advertising and marketing team and innovation and technology team.

“The communication team will create a comprehensive marketing atmosphere for Ghanaians to understand the reason why they must patronise locally made goods.

“The advertising and marketing team will create the necessary awareness of Ghanaian goods in the market.

“Every product attracts a consumer by how it has been packaged, so the technology and innovation team will see to it that made in Ghana goods are well packaged to attract the eye of consumers,” Mr Sarpong explained.

He said policies would be put in place to manage the affairs campaign, including the registration of every product with the made in Ghana logo.

He said the made in Ghana logo would be a proof that a product is of higher quality and approved by the Foods and Drug Authority and the Ghana Standards Board.

Mr Sarpong lauded the wearing of local fabrics on Fridays, including corporate companies but wished it could be worn on other working days.

He said Ghanaians must have a renewed mind towards the use of Ghanaian goods after the launch of the campaign which is due next month.