Many goods that are labeled “made in Ghana” have been said to be of the highest caliber, which must be supported if they are to be manufactured in big quantities for both domestic and international markets.
Godwin Avenorgbo, a veteran broadcaster and the communications director for the Melcom Group of Companies, stated that although the majority of the goods offered at Melcom were produced in Ghana, “when you see them, you will think they are imported.”
In order for stores like Melcom to purchase more products to match consumer demand, he claimed that local companies must expand and boost production.
Answering questions during a media interaction on whether or not made-in-Ghana products were well patronised, Mr Avenorgbo called on stakeholders to provide major support for local industries to enable them to produce more quality made-in-Ghana products that could compete in other parts of the world when exported.
The interaction was at the opening of the new Melcom East Legon branch in Accra.
“If you go through the shelves, you will see made in Ghana products. The branding is good, the quality is good, everything is attractive. The secret is this, the more local we buy, the less foreign exchange we spend and it will be in our interest,” the veteran broadcaster stated.
Bigger investments
He indicated that there had been a remarkable transformation by Melcom this year, and that transformation was first made visible by the official launch of its new logo.
Mr Avenorgbo said since Black Friday had become a precursor to the Christmas season, Melcom management had taken steps to invest in bigger, better and more modern facilities to improve the shopping experience for customers.
“Now we are opening our doors to the mega three-storey Melcom Superstore in East Legon, Boundary Road, which is easily accessible from many parts of the city. This state of-the-art facility is a one-stop shop designed to serve all demographics of our clientele,” he stated.
Mr Avenorgbo said the superstore also had a Pizza Hut restaurant, the 10th location in Ghana, along with other exciting concepts such as a bar, a gym and a gourmet Lebanese restaurant.
The new branch, he said, also had in stock a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, a bakery, butchery and fishmonger with fresh seafood and a separate pork room to maintain the Halal status of the main butchery.
It also has an art kitchen, which would provide customers with meals of choice from Ghanaian, Lebanese, Indian, Continental and Japanese dishes.
He said there were varieties of products limitless for household needs, office, indoor and outdoor.
Expansion
Melcom, the communications director said, had been expanding its services to less serviced areas by opening up facilities which offered wider and more congenial shopping spaces for the convenience of customers.
“In addition to Melcom East Legon which has just opened to the public and is receiving amazing patronage, we are opening a new Melcom branch in Takoradi next month and another one, which will be by far the most modern Melcom branch on the Spintex Road, The Melcom Mall,” he further said.