By Christabel DANSO ABEAM
The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ablah Dzifa Gomashie has urged Ghanaians to patronise locally manufactured products to support growth of the economy.
She was speaking during the staff awards nights and dinner ceremony of Coconut Grove Regency Hotel in Accra,The Coconut Grove Regency Hotel hosted its annual awards and dinner night to honour outstanding employees for their dedication and hard work.
The event celebrated exceptional staff from various departments including maintenance, conference, housekeeping, front office, banqueting and kitchen, presenting them with certificates of appreciation.
The top-three overall performers for 2024 were awarded cash prizes and an all-expenses-paid vacation to a luxury destination hotel, recognising their exceptional contributions to the hotel’s success.
The minister emphasised that prioritising locally made products will not only create employment but go as far as boosting the country’s tourism appeal and influence exports from the country.
“Data show that tourism contributes millions to our GDP, with Groupe Nduom playing a role in generating this amount. This is why it is crucial for Ghanaians to support their initiatives – together, we can make it work,” she said.
The Ghana 2023 trade report from Ghana Statistical Service indicates that Ghana’s total external trade – GH₵366.6billion in 2023 – was 43.6 percent of GDP, with exports constituting 22.1 percent and imports 21.5 percent.
She further reiterated the importance of promoting made in Ghana goods and tourism, pledging that the current government will see to improvements in the tourism sector and also the patronage of locally manufactured products.
Ms. Gomashie also commended the hotel for their constant use of locally manufactured products for their foods and encouraged other businesses to emulate this stance.
Dr. Nana Kwaku Nduom, President of Groupe Nduom Ghana, congratulated all winners and asked for more dedication toward positions they have been given to handle in order to facilitate the hotel’s growth.
General Manager-Coconut Grove Regency Hotel Raphael Ayitey, in his welcome address during the event, appealed for government to put in place measures that encourage activities of local manufacturing organisations to help reduce dependency on imported products.
According to him, these measures will go a long way to decrease the high rate of foreign exchange.
