Ghana EXPO 2003 Was Poorly Advertized

London, Oct. 17, GNA - Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minster of Private Sector Development, has expressed disappointment at the depth of organisation that went into the Ghana EXPO 2003 currently underway at the Alexandra Palace in London.

Briefing Journalists at the exhibition grounds after a tour of the place, Mr Bartels said publicity in London about the EXPO was rather low and consequently had affected patronage.

He said many Ghanaians in London had little knowledge about the EXPO, which is being held here for the first time to showcase the investment potential of the Ghanaian economy and how best Ghanaian and foreign investors could put money into the development of the country as well as small and medium enterprises that formed the bulk of exhibitors at the EXPO.

Mr Bartels said: "We have had to have a meeting with the organisers this morning and I must say they admitted that there was need to have more publicity on local radios, newspapers and some television networks."

Giving his impressions on the EXPO, Mr Bartels said it was a wonderful opportunity for small and medium Ghanaian enterprises to make it to London to exhibit their potential and seek partnerships and investment, but noted that it was a bit discomforting to know that it might be difficult for the over 400 exhibitors to recoup their investment in the EXPO 2003.

Wing Commander Seth Addo, Vice-President of Ghana Real Estates Developers Association (GREDA), said, "our expectations have not been met since we were actually expecting that publicity would be that high to enable us to meet a large number of investors at this meeting, but we are yet to see anything of this nature.

"There have been a few people coming around but I must say that is not what we are looking forward to. We are, however, hopeful that things would improve by the weekend."

Other exhibitors the GNA spoke to also complained about the low patronage and sales at the EXPO 2003, citing low publicity about the event, which according to them was mainly targeted at London-based Ghanaians.

"This concept by the organisers is very weird and not the best since it limits the people who would come here either to buy or make deals," Mr Patrick Koomson Executive Director of Saint Patricks Estates, said, adding, "we put in over 4,000 pounds and should have something to show for it".

Exhibitors dealing in African crafts, textiles, jewellery, leather materials seemed to be the most hit as most of them came to London hoping to sell their wares in order to defray ticket, freight and other costs.

Mr Ekow Affedzi, General Manager of the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), described the EXPO 2003 as an excellent opportunity, "and we are having a great time selling the Exchange to not only Ghanaians and foreigners in London, who have come to our stand, but even those who came with us to London".

He said a lot of people including investors have picked up forms and have expressed deep interest in the Ghana Stock Exchange.

Mr Affedzi said the GSE was on target to becoming one of the best in the world this year and obviously the best in Africa.

The GSE this year has had the highest returns on investment in both dollar and cedi terms across the world and still has the potential to grow, Mr Affedzi said.

Officials at the Ghana Free Zones Board and Ghana Cocoa Board were also satisfied with the performance of their organisation at EXPO 2003. But Mr William Dorworkpor, National Coordinator of Ghana EXPO 2003, said it was unfortunate that a large number of exhibitors came to London expecting to sell all their exhibits.

"The essence of Ghana EXPO 2003 is to open the avenue for Ghanaian businesses to clinch deals for the supply of products and services on a more sustainable basis thereby, helping the individual companies and the nation to grow economically."

"However, they have come with a view to sell and as you might be aware," he said, these fairs take time to build up. This is what has resulted in most exhibitors feeling disappointed."