Tata Beverage MD cries for local entrepreneurs

Frank Ayim Damptey, the Managing Director of Tata Beverages Company Limited, has bemoaned the influx of foreign drinks on to the Ghanaian market, a situation which he said is killing the local manufacturers.

He stated this during the fourth annual event to recognize and reward deserving and hardworking staff of the company.

According to him, the government has a responsibility to protect the local industries from products which are manufactured abroad saying, "a visit to our market and supermarkets nowadays reveals a pathetic picture of display of foreign drinks on the shelves to the disadvantage of locally manufactured ones."

Mr Damptey noted that local firms could compete with their foreign counterparts only if the necessary support and encouragement are given to the former. He said when this is done it would lead to creating employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth in the society.

The Tata Beverages boss identified numerous taxes, lack of good packaging materials and cost of production as some of the problems confronting the local manufacturer.

Some of the products produced by Tata Beverages Company include One Touch Aromatic Bitters, Tatapack, Tropical Ginger Milk which are being patronized in some countries in the West Africa sub-region.

According to Management, the company would soon introduce into the market carbonated soft drink and Sunsum dry gin.

He assured that the alcohol-free drink for consumers will be ready by the end of the month.

Mr Damptey commended the staff for their dedication and contribution to the success of the company. The overall best award went to Mr Kwasi Aboagye, a driver, who received a television as his prize.

Present at the ceremony were Osabarima Ameyaw 11, Chief of Abomosu, Thomas Addison, Deputy Commandant of Kofi Annan Training Centre.

By Nana Obeng-Danquah