Kantanka Group deserves support

The campaign to promote made-in-Ghana goods began many years ago but progress towards the attainment of that goal has been very slow.

Besides the campaign to patronise locally produced goods, there had been efforts in the past to promote “Eat what you grow and grow what you eat”.

This year, many institutions have spent huge sums of money on hampers for friends, business associates and loved ones.

Most of the items in the hampers were imported, although the institutions could have procured local items that would boost the local economy.

We do not intend to suggest that nothing is being done to encourage people to patronise local products in order to create a market and employment for our people.

The Daily Graphic thinks that we can do more to revive our economy, instead of depending on foreign goods and consequently building the economies of countries from where we import the goods.

This year, for instance, local agricultural production has been better, as good rains and the hard work of farmers culminated in a near- bumper harvest of cassava, maize, plantain and some vegetables and fruits.

But our over-dependence on imported goods, including food items, is likely to dampen the spirit of farmers, as preference for foreign goods will lead to a glut on the local market and loss of income to farmers.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, appeals to our leaders who are in positions to initiate policy interventions for the necessary change to walk the talk now.

The problem with Ghana is that there is a lot of talk about what must be done but very little action to change the status quo.

This brings us to the story of the Kantanka Group, led by Apostle Kwadwo Safo (Dr), who has been pushing the agenda for using local resources to change Ghana for the better.

Unfortunately, his tale and experiences are full of frustration, as the government is yet to offer him support to succeed in his endeavours.

Elsewhere, he would have been offered all the necessary support to implement his ideas and ideals for the good of the country.

Apostle Safo has invented many things, including his famous Kantanka range of vehicles, and he is seeking support to produce them on a mass scale.

The Daily Graphic thinks that if we are committed to promoting the policy of buying made-in-Ghana goods, then we should support Apostle Safo to put his vision into practice. His goals appear lofty and, indeed, fall in line with the government’s agenda of making every day a Ghana day.

We call on the government to assist Apostle Safo and other local entrepreneurs to lead the national agenda of capturing the ‘commanding heights of our economy’.

That, however, requires commitment on the part of the policy makers and not lip service to the campaign to get everybody to patronise locally produced goods at all times.

Going forward, we should redirect the enthusiasm for ‘Friday wear’ to ‘everyday wear’ and a ready market will be created for all local producers.