Patronise Made-in-Ghana Goods

Mr Abu-Bakar Saddique Boniface, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industries has reminded manufacturers in the Free Zones not to dump their products on the local market.

Companies operating in the Free Zones are under obligation to export 70 percent of their products, and can only sell the rest on the local market.

Mr Boniface was speaking to management and workers of Polykraft Company, manufacturers of packaging boxes for the export of agricultural produce after inspecting the company's factory at the Tema Industrial Area.

He said the ministry would monitor the activities of companies operating in the Free Zones.

Mr Boniface commended Polykraft for the quality of their products.

He advised Ghanaians to patronise made in Ghana goods to improve the economy. "For every item that is imported, we allow someone to be unemployed, and for a single item that is produced and bought locally we help to keep workers in their jobs."

Mr Anil Mohinani, Director of the company said with 150 employees, it produces at least 1.5 million square metres of cartons a month.

Polykraft, which is facing stiff competition from importers from South Africa, Brazil and Europe, is able to export some of its products to some ECOWAS countries including Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.

Mr Mohinani expressed concern about the increase in power tariffs saying in spite of the 60 percent increase, the company continues to suffer from power outages. He called on government to introduce "preventive tariffs" in packaging, so that the local market does not become a dumping ground for importers.

The company complained about mishandling of imported raw materials at the port due to lack of good equipment and called on the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) to streamline their operations to eliminate delays and frustrations in the clearance of goods. "It takes about four weeks to clear items imported by the company from the port," Mr. Mohinani said.