Patronise made in Ghana Goods

by Benjamin Price (Projects Abroad)

Osagyef Amanfo Edu VI

Osagyef Amanfo Edu VI, Omahene of Mankessim Traditional Area, has called for the patronisation and buying of goods produced by the people of the Republic of Ghana at the launch of the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP).

The programme was first piloted back in 1995 in 13 districts in the Ashanti and BrongAhafo Regions. Based on the success and lessons of this pilot scheme, a second phase of the project was launched in 2002 covering 66 districts nation-wide. The main aim of the Rural Enterprise Programme is to combat rural poverty and help raise the living standards of the participants living in the rural areas of the country. It is believed that this will be achieved mainly through the promotion of micro and small enterprise activities.

However in order for this project to truly succeed, Osagyef Amanfo Edu, said:

“We as people have to make their businesses grow by participating or buying the goods that they produce. We have to be the markets for their products.”

The Vice President inspects the manufacturing equipment

The launch of this development programme in December was attended by many high profile figures including the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. John Dramani Mahamah. The Vice Presoident described the Rural Technology Services Centres (RTSCs), that was developed under the REP, as something remarkable due to the facilities and equipment they provide for the local districts. The RTSCs were established at district level to provide sustainable services such as skills and technology promotion and transfer to local communities.

Addressing the crowd gathered at the Project’s launch, the Vice President said:

“One of the unique features of this project is that it is fully decentralised and integrated into the local government system.

This development project has the highest rate of investment than any other development scheme the government and their partners are currently managing. Following his praise for the success of the scheme thus far, the Vice President turned his focus to the unemployed young people of Ghana and urged them to get involved in the Rural Enterprise Programme.

“This programme, among others, would be useless if our young people don’t take interest in them and don’t take advantage of the opportunities that they present.”

As part of the activities to mark the launch of the REP, some of the projects’ clients held an exhibition and trade show to depict some of the product and skills introduced to the rural poor. The annual trade shows are organised by the Project to provide a platform to explore new market opportunities and also learn useful lessons from other colleagues and districts.