By Hannah Dadzie
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has emphasized the need for Ghanaians to continue promoting Made in Ghana products for economic growth and development.
Speaking at the launch of the 3rd Made-In-Ghana Bazaar in Accra, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey, said today’s economy calls for promoting locally made goods to help reduce imports, and create export potential.
She said the overarching objective of the Bazaar is to use the network of Diplomatic Missions abroad and Diplomatic Missions accredited to Ghana, to facilitate the penetration of Ghanaian products and services into foreign markets. Madam Ayorkor Botchwey believes together, stakeholders and businesses can propel Ghana’s economic prosperity.
The Made-in-Ghana Bazaar, which was launched in 2018 following Government’s decision to re-establish the Economic, Trade and Investment Bureau of the Ministry in 2017, has been strategically designed to harness the efforts of micro, small and medium size businesses and to promote their products and services globally, through the Ministry’s diplomatic Missions abroad.
The second edition of the Bazaar was held in July 2019, however, due to some circumstances, the event has stalled for the past three years. The 3rd Edition of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar will take place at the Accra International Conference Centre, AICC, from the 23rd to the 25th of this month.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said the initiative is one of the strategies the ministry has adopted to support the private sector promote their products internationally and called for active participation to make it a success. She urged stakeholders to help patronize the event for sustainable development.
“The Bazaar would be open to the general public, who are expected to patronize the wide range of products and services that will be exhibited, providing exposure for local businesses and an opportunity for sensitization of domestic and foreign business operators. It may be recalled that the previous Bazaars recorded not less than 200 exhibitors and 2,500 visitors. It is therefore anticipated that this year’s Bazaar will attract over 5,000 patrons, considering the wide publicity and high interest shown in the previous Bazaars,” Madam Ayorkor Botchwey indicated.
“The desire to accomplish the task ahead can only be achieved with the active participation of our stakeholders, who have been instrumental in planning towards the 3rd Edition of the Made-in-Ghana Bazaar.” Publicity is key and so I’m also adding my voice to ask kondly the media to help us in publicizing this event,” The Foreign Affairs Minister added.
According to the Madam Ayorkor Botchwey, This year’s Bazaar will feature side events around the following themes: The Changing Nature of Diplomacy; 21st Century Economic Diplomacy-A Private Sector Perspective; Equipping the SMEs to take advantage of the AfCFTA; Projecting Ghana’s Creative Arts Industry for Sustainable Development, as well as a theatre play by Latif Abubakar titled “The Second Coming of Nkrumah”, which would run from 24th to 26th May, 2024.
Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Dr John-Hawkins Asiedu believes this event will help promote sustainable development and growth. He said the Ministry will continue to faction out programmes and policies to create enabling environment for artisans to take advantage of the huge market available under the AfCFTA and other trade agreements.
“At a time when the world is facing unprecedented challenges, this event will be a reminder of the … in creativity that exist in our country. Despite the COVID-19, Ghanaian entrepreneurs have continued to be innovative amd create products that are not only high quality but also reflect our rich cultural heritage. This Bazaar will also serve as an opportunity to showcase the very best that Ghana can offer. Our local products are not only unique and of high quality but are also affordable and accessible at all times. Entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy and we are proud to support you,” Dr John-Hawkins Asiedu noted.
This year’s event is on the theme: “Promoting Made-In-Ghana Goods and Services for Economic Prosperity”. Exhibitors were urged to take advantage of the event to establish relevant networks that could lead to big opportunities. It is the ministry’s ultimate goal to contribute to building a more diversified and resilient economy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is organizing the event in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other institutions such as the Ghana Export Promotions Authority (GEPA), the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
