Accra, May 18, GNA - The first ever International Women's Fair, woul= d be held in Accra from May 28-30, this year, to deliberate on issues that would help women to make strides in socio-economic development The event that is expected to bring together participants from Ghana=

and other countries in the West Africa sub-region and across the globe, s= eek to focus on the need to present women with some opportunities as men. The fair, is an initiative of Creative Trends in collaboration with stakeholders including, MTN Mobile Money, Ark Foundation, Domestic Violen= ce and Victim Support Unit of Ghana Police Service and Lady Pharmacist Association.

The three-day fair under the theme: "Women Development and Productivity, a Call for All" would feature several activities such as seminars, health screening, exhibitions, mentoring, sales and many others= .. Addressing a press launch in Accra on Tuesday, an event consultant f= or the fair, Mr Nortey Dua, said that the Fair was aimed at focusing on huma= n development, life experience and testimonies that could assist the new generation to learn and participate fully in national development. He said the fair would bring to women, varying social, political and=

religious persuasions from across the global to share ideas, thoughts and=

achievements.

Mr Dua said that the event would also focus on practical topics and subjects which relate to the changing and challenging role of both sexes at their workplaces, homes and at their place of worship. Mr Yaw Asamoah, Event Director for IWF, said the fair would be divid= ed into three parts, conference, exhibition and sales. "This would be an international fair for corporate bodies, non-governmental agencies and government institutions to showcase their products and services tailored towards today's woman. It's going to be a unique sample of women issues in various fields of endeavour," he added. Mr Asamoah said that about 1,500 delegates were expected to particip= ate in the conference with students, corporate women, young executives and policy makers being targeted.

He said that participants would be given discounts, taken through fr= ee health screening, product launch and most importantly make sales. Exhibitors on the other hand would be given the opportunity to reach=

their customers and bond with them, he said and added that this would ser= ve as an avenue to recruit new and potential customers. Several companies from all the major sectors of the Ghanaian economy=

and the West African sub-region would participate. These include companies in the telecommunications, food and beverage= s and automobile sectors, clothing and accessories, child and mother care, health, NGOs, home care, real estate developers and financial institution= s. According to the organisers, the fair was target specific and would afford corporate bodies, opportunity to specifically tune their messages to appeal to women in Ghana and across West Africa.

They observed that women were noted for their high interest for patronising goods and services and seeking information for shopping and believed that this was one of such avenues to reap several benefits. It would be an avenue for corporate bodies and organisations dealing= in products and services for women to meet their customers and interact with=

them, get them to sample their products, generate sales and customer feedback immediately.

The fair would be a platform for stakeholders to deliver inspiring a= nd insightful messages that would help women thrive in current increasingly challenging market environment.

Some of the speakers expected at the fair include, Ms Anna Bossman, former Acting Commissioner of Commission on Human Rights and Administrati= ve Justice, Mrs Elizabeth Villars, Founder and Former Chief Executive Office= r of Camelot and Mrs Alberta Quartey of Alsid Academy. Participating countries include Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa, the United State of America, United Kingdom and Canada.