Ho, Nov. 23, GNA – Some exhibitors at the 5th Volta Trade and Investment Fair, have described the patronage of their products and services as encouraging.
Although some also had most patrons doing window shopping, exhibitors believe their products have been made known to these patrons.
Mr Fred Jefferson, Assistant Registrar, Faculty of Engineering at the Ho Technical University, said the first week of the Fair was phenomenal with a lot of patrons looking at their exhibits.
He said the University was into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) which practicalised its theory adding that a lot of the exhibits brought were finished products.
Mr Jefferson noted that some of the exhibits from the Electrical Department were prototypes and could only be produced for patrons after they ordered.
He said they had a lot of orders while urging patrons who showed interest to enter into large scale production would enter a memorandum of understanding with the University.
Mr Jefferson said the Art and Design Department exhibited products such as dresses, fabrics, paintings and ceramics which could be handily purchased.
He said the University’s Hospitality Department exhibited their products such as cakes adding that “some are being sold.”
Mr Jefferson said the second week of the Fair was also picking up.
Madam Pearl Ankutse of Maphlix Trust Farms Limited, Ghana’s largest exporter of potatoes, said patrons showed interest in purchasing their products.
She said some patrons were also showing interest in becoming out growers while those situated in Accra showed interest in purchasing from their office in Accra.
Mr Fabrice Agboku of the Prunelle Premium; manufacturers of local spices and beverages said the patronage was good but a lot of people came for window shopping.
He said they hoped sales would be okay as the second week begins and commended the organisers for the opportunity to present their products to the people of Volta and their new customers.
Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Ho West Member of Parliament, said he saw a lot of products made in the Volta Region “and this alone tells me that there is hope for the region.
He said the region was the microcosm of Ghana and that” right from Keta to Hohoe, you experience the Volta Region and the entirety of Ghana.”
Mr Bedzra said he was amazed at some products he purchased were produced in the region as well as their packaging.
He said there was the need for investment in terms of demand f buyers to get marketers of the products within and outside Ghana.
Mr Bedzra said there was the need also for investors from the supply angle who would support the producers by investing financially to enlarge their business line.
Mr Mawuli Fui Kwadzovia, Public Relations Officer, Bui Power Authority (BPA), said the idea of the Volta Fair was a good initiative, laudable and must be sustained.
He said the Bui Power Authority was involved in the Fair because of the 45kW Tsatsadu Generating Station at Alavanyo which was constructed by Engineers of Bui Power Authority.
Mr Kwadzovia noted that the Authority had also developed a 50MWp which is the biggest land base solar in the country and 1MWp Floating Solar being the first of its kind in the West Africa sub-region.
He said there were plans to also develop some mini hydroelectric dams on some Western Rivers and feasibility studies are underway for their viability.
He also said lives of Project Affected Communities were being touched through various Livelihood Enhancements interventions which put affected persons into co-operatives and equipped them under the leadership of the CEO of BPA, Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi.
GNA