President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday challenged the private sector to engage and be innovative in the production of basic essential products to avoid importation.

He said it is unacceptable for the country to continue exporting primary commodities to process, while there is adequate capacity to process finished quality goods.

President Mahama gave the challenge when he visited the Pioneer Bamboo Processing Company in Assin Fosu in the Central Region as part of a familiarisation tour of indigenous Ghanaian industries.

The President paid a similar visit to Dignity-DTRT, a garment factory on Friday to find out the performance of the business entity as well as challenges and how government could partner it.

President Mahama said Ghana has a lot of resources and it is therefore unfortunate that after a number of years of independence, the country is still importing items such as tooth pick, toilet rolls and other basics that could conveniently be produced locally.

He said the private sector is the best area to propel the economic fortunes of the country in view of the capacity to create more jobs outside the civil and public services.

President Mahama commended the Pioneer Bamboo Company for its initiative and gave the assurance that government would carry out feasibility studies to find out areas of cooperation for the sustenance of the venture.

Mr Gladstone Anderson Agbolosoo, Chief Executive Officer of the company expressed satisfaction for the visit of President Mahama adding: "Your visit to this premises will further create awareness on what we are doing here."

The company uses bamboo to make doors, windows, writing desks, sitting room furniture, beds among other products.

Nana Kyeremanteng II, Kontihene of Assin Traditional Area appealed to government to provide infrastructure for the recently accredited Midwifery school at Assin Fosu.

He commended President Mahama for his visit giving the assurance that the traditional council would play their role to ensure the execution of development projects in the area.