The Vice-President of Liberia, Mr Joseph Nyumah Boakai, has called on Ghanaian industries and small businesses to set up operations in his country to help it with the rebuilding process.
He said locating factories in Ghana and Liberia would help the two countries economically, particularly with job creation and poverty reduction in Liberia.
The vice president made the call in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, when he opened the second Solo Exhibition of Made-in-Ghana Products and Services jointly organised by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
Forty exhibitors from Ghana showcased their products which ranged from pharmaceuticals to textiles, leather and footwear, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, underground water solutions, herbal medicines, cosmetics, beauty and skin care, leather, home decor and handicraft, among others.
This year, the exhibition also marketed Ghana as a destination for various services including education, health care and tourism. The fair, which opened on November 28, ended on Wednesday.
The Liberian vice president thanked Ghana for its support throughout its difficult times. as well as its continued collaboration in the rebuilding process, including having the faith in the country and sponsoring businesses to exhibit there.
The Liberian Minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr Axel Addy, described the exhibition as timely because such efforts were needed to promote regional integration and reduce poverty in the West African sub-region.
Mr Addy said Ghana’s success in growing its small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to the level they could stage solo exhibitions was motivational to the fledgling Liberian private sector and, therefore, urged the sector to take a cue from the Ghanaian success story.
The Chief Executive of the GEPA, Mr Gideon Quarcoo, said besides the list of over 400 non-traditional exports (NTEs) that the authority promoted, it had also mainstreamed professional services exports into the NTEs portfolio as part of diversifying the country’s exports.
“This is made up of universities, polytechnics and other institutions of excellence, the Cardiothoracic Centre, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Centre and Forensic (Genetic) laboratory in Ghana I urge you to take advantage of these services,” Mr Quarcoo told the Liberian public.
The second solo exhibition of Made-in-Ghana products and services appeared better organised than the previous edition, as it was now held at a venue along Monrovia’s principal street, the Tolbert Blvd, with a high visitor attendance on the opening day.
As though that was not enough, Ghana’s battalion to the United Nations International Military Force in Liberia (UNIMIL), Ghanbatt 18, treated guests to veritable brass band music.
After touring the exhibition grounds, the Liberian vice-president commended the exhibitors for their quality products, designs and packaging which made them attractive and competitive.