More Ghanaians go for Chinese stuff - Survey

Some consumers of Chinese product speak to Joy News
Copyright@myjoyonline

Ghanaian shoppers are prepared to buy Chinese products at higher cost, so long as the products meet international standards compared to Europe or the Americas.

This is according to a survey conducted in Accra by the Chinese News Agency Xinhua.

The survey reveals high patronage of Chinese products. However the quality of the products are said to be inferior.

According to the survey 30 out of 200 respondents recognized that there are good quality Chinese products, although Ghanaian importers bring in sub-standard goods ostensibly to keep the prices low.

Ghana imports a wide range of products from China including clothing, mobile phones and even canned foods, despite recent food scares involving Chinese dairy products.

Joy News has been speaking to importers and distributors who say there is ready market for Chinese products.

“Initially it was a bit difficult, products from China were thought to be inferior…but with time they have come to realise that [Chinese] products are equally good,” one importer told Joy FM's Cobby Graham.

However, some importers warn one has to be more than careful at a Chinese market to ensure they get the right product they are paying for.

Edna Mark Bruce, a business woman who regularly travels to China to buy products ordered specifically for her customers says in spite of improvements in trade between Ghana and China, it still pays to be careful.

Meanwhile some consumers of Chinese products suggest negative media reports on Chinese products are the result of Western propaganda.

They suggest the Chinese establish shopping malls in Ghana to showcase quality but expensive goods.