e.tv Ghana television station, has launched an initiative to annually dedicate the month of July to take the campaign of promoting made in Ghana goods to another level.

By the launch, e.tv Ghana aims to promote Ghanaian products, services, and personalities through a number of activities scheduled each week by the television station in the month.

The station has also announced a 60 percent reduction in advertising fee on its channel for all local companies and individuals whose activities are geared towards promoting what is Ghanaian.

This year’s maiden campaign is under the theme: “Promoting local Industries, Services and Entrepreneurship for Sustained Development.”

Explaining the rationale for the initiative, General Manager of e.tv Ghana, John Osei-Tutu Agyeman, said the time had come for a national consciousness for what is truly Ghanaian because the “true nature of the Ghanaian is one who creates out of little, and he inspires millions.”

“He (the Ghanaian) becomes a beacon for others to follow, a shelter for others to hide under and like the proverbial palm tree, all its parts are useful and nothing is wasted.”

Mr. Agyeman said July is the month in which Ghana became a republic state, weaning itself totally from colonial rule. “Thus in choosing the month of July, we hope to open up new dynamics in the quest to rid us from the colonial mentality that has so engulfed us and brainwashed us into thinking that all things Ghanaian and for that matter African are inferior to those from the West.”

“Look around us today, the games we loved growing up such as ‘ampe’, ‘oware’, ‘dame’, ‘alikoto’, and ‘anwheakyere’, are all but extinct. Our streets are filled with restaurants that serve dishes from Italian to French to Greek and Labanese,” he said.

Mr. Agyeman expressed the hope that the initiative would be nationalized to restore pride and set the stage for national debate, adding “We are proud of the several efforts made by Ghanaians to build businesses and services that truly have hallmark of quality and authenticity.”

“Our fathers chose the name Ghana because of the wealth, industry and creativity of the old Ghana Empire, an empire where streets were paved with pride of the people and desire to be greatest empire in the old world.”

The Public Relations Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries, Cyril Okpoko, launched the initiative and pledged the AGI’s support, noting that the 60 percent discount in advertisement by the station would go a long to help companies.

Mr. Alphonse Kumaza, Tourism Officer from the Ministry of Tourism described the initiative as laudable and said it would go a long way not only to attract international tourists but also foreign investors in the tourism, culture and trade sectors in Ghana.

Through the promotion of made in Ghana products, he said, “Ghana will receive many visitors and when they come they will spend – the Kelewale seller, hoteliers, taxi drivers and the like will all get their shares.

“Tourism is a multi-faceted sector in which everybody will get their share when well developed. It is one way that this country can develop and need to be supported well by all Governments.”

The Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Kumaza said, was ready to support any initiative like the e.tv Ghana project, especially because of its core mandate to market Ghana internationally for various reasons, not only foreign exchange.

He said the country’s products, value and image needed to be promoted at local and international events such as trade fairs and exhibitions across the globe.**