Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Kweku Ricketts-Hagan has thrown his weight behind an aggressive industrialisation drive with a call on Ghanaians to patronise locally manufactured goods -- thus helping indigenous companies to grow and become more competitive.

Speaking at the second edition of the Ghana Made Awards in Accra, he said the current situation whereby Ghanaians have a strong taste for foreign products at the expense of local goods is worrisome as it puts local manufacturing companies at a disadvantage, adds to the country’s balance of payment deficit, and weakens the cedi against its major trading currencies.

“As a country, we have not been able to tap into the potential of industrialisation because of the colonial legacy and internally imposed reforms that make foreign products and goods superior to locally-made ones.

“Ghanaians have developed a strong taste for foreign products; to the extent that some have conceived the notion that locally manufactured goods are always inferior compared to imported goods.

“We must change this attitude; we must consume made-in-Ghana goods and services to grow local enterprises to become more competitive. This will enable such companies to provide much-needed jobs and reduce the high level of unemployment in the country. It will also address the country’s balance of payment challenges and keep the cedi stronger,” he said.

Twenty-six locally-made products were honoured at the event, with Wilmar Africa Limited’s Frytol Vegetable Cooking Oil being adjudged the Overall Best Ghana-Made Product of the Year.

Other award-winning products were Joy Ointment and Soap, Bine 20 Disinfectant, Tama Shea-Butter Soap and Body Cream, and Aunty Mary’s Gripe Water for herbal, toiletries, indigenous and pharmaceuticals products of the year respectively.

KAMA Pharmaceutical’s Tres-Orix Forte Syrup was adjudged Lifetime Product of the Year, while Melcom Ghana Limited scooped the award for Retail Outlet of the Year.

This year’s edition was on the theme “Industrialisation: The Key Strategy to Accelerated Economic Development and Job-creation”. The event was organised under the auspices of the Ministries of Trade and Industry and Finance as well as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC).

The Ghana Made Awards are endorsed and sponsored by Ghana Standards Authority, the Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial Development Fund (EDAIF), the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and the Private Enterprise Federation (PEF) -- with the Business and Financial Times (B&FT), Joy FM and Multi TV as media partners.

Mr. Sam Ato Gaisie, Founder and President of Entrepreneurs Foundation Ghana, said the awards are to celebrate some of the proud Ghanaian indigenous products from local manufacturing industries, while highlighting their achievements in driving the country’s industrialisation.

This, he said, will help to promote awareness and build product-loyalty to meet the challenges of domestic and international markets.

Mr. Gaisie said award-winning products gain recognition as champions of excellence and quality in Ghana.