[ 2014-09-15 ]

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 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.

Source - B & FT

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