President ‘outdoors’ new plant, products at Blue Skies
The President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, yesterday inaugurated a new factory and launched three new products of the Blue Skies Group, with an appeal to chiefs and landlords to be flexible in the allocation of land for development projects in their areas.
Advertisement
He said the land tenure system, in its current state, was a disincentive to investment, as it usually resulted in multiple sale of land.
Performing the inauguration ceremony at Dobro, near Nsawam in the Eastern Region, the President hinted of the government’s intention to re-launch the made-in Ghana campaign in the coming days to whip up enthusiasm in Ghanaians for locally made goods.
Before the re-launch, he called for an end to land litigation, which posed a threat to the campaign, as it scared away investors.
In attendance were some African mayors who are attending the fourth World Mayors Summit in Accra. They were led by Dr. Okoe Vanderpuije, the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
The President stated that in line with the government's transformational programme to promote made-in-Ghana goods, everything was being done to create a conducive environment to attract investors.
Blue Skies
The Blue Skies Group produces fresh-cut fruits from factories in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa and Brazil which it sells primarily to retailers in Europe.
It started operating in the Ghana factory in 1998 with 36 employees. Apart from producing fresh-cut fruits, it also produces freshly squeezed juice for the local and international markets.
The Ghana factory alone now employs more than 1,500 people and supplies products to more than 12 European retailers, including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Albert Heijn.
Revamping old industries
President Mahama said the government was on course to revamping some defunct industries to produce quality and cheaper products for the Ghanaian market.
Some of the industries are the GIHOC Shoe Factory in Kumasi and the Komenda Sugar Factory.
He said the government had taken steps to support rice farmers to increase production and that had resulted in a 60 per cent reduction in rice importation.
He reassured the people that the power challenges of the country would be solved in the coming days to pave way for industries to grow.
Blue Skies Chairman
The Founder and Chairman of Blue Skies, Dr Anthony Pile, said the company was currently processing 550 tonnes of fruits weekly and gave an assurance that it would never compromise on quality.
The British High Commissioner, Mr Jon Benjamin, said,the British government would continue to support Ghana to develop its economic potential.