'Ghana First' mantra requires intentionality

At the opening of the fourth Made-in-Ghana Bazaar last Friday, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, charged the newly appointed envoys with a fundamental diplomatic and economic mission: to become the chief marketers of Ghanaian products on the global stage.

It is a call to arms for a collective shift in mindset, from a culture of import-dependency to one that celebrates and prioritises domestic production and consumption.

For far too long, as Mr Debrah rightly pointed out, our economy has been weakened by an overwhelming reliance on imported goods.

This trend offers the country no leverage while it drains our precious foreign exchange and stifles the growth of local industries and job creation. 

The solution, as championed at the bazaar, on the theme “Championing Economic Diplomacy: Connecting Producers, Markets and Opportunities,” requires a multi-pronged and synergistic approach.

First, the collaboration between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agribusiness and Industry is not just welcome; it is non-negotiable.

The initiative to establish Made-in-Ghana Corners in our missions abroad is a commendable first step.

This must be aggressively expanded as planned. 

Our diplomatic missions must transform from mere administrative outposts into vibrant commercial hubs that actively seek markets, facilitate business connections, and showcase the quality and diversity of Ghanaian ingenuity, from our world-class cocoa and shea butter to our elegant textiles and innovative crafts.

However, diplomacy alone cannot win this battle.

The charge must begin at home.

The campaign to encourage Ghanaians to “see the value of using our products” is paramount.

Value is not just in price, but in quality, pride and national benefit.

Every time a consumer chooses a locally manufactured garment over an imported one, or a locally processed food item, they are not just making a purchase; they are casting a vote for the Ghanaian economy, investing in a local job, and strengthening the cedi.

This demands stringent quality control and innovative design that meets modern tastes, as well as competitive pricing.

The government must continue to combat the menace of substandard imported goods that flood our markets, while local industries must relentlessly focus on excellence.

The goal is for a Made-in-Ghana product to be the preferred choice, not just the patriotic one. 

The true wealth lies in value addition. Instead of exporting cocoa beans, we must dominate the global chocolate confectionery market.

We should be the leading exporters of refined shea butter, not shea nuts, for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

This shift to value addition will create more jobs, retain more wealth within our borders, and truly brand Ghana as a nation of innovation, not just origin.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, adds its voice to the Chief of Staff’s rallying cry.

We urge all Ghanaians to rally behind this national cause.

To the government, provide the enabling environment, policies, and support for local industries to flourish.

The business community should innovate, improve quality, and aggressively brand its products. 

The path to economic self-reliance is paved with made-in-Ghana products. It is a duty we owe to ourselves and to future generations.

If we do not deliberately build our own economy, no one will do it for us.

Let us all become ambassadors for Ghana, starting from our homes, offices and shopping bags.