Accra, Aug. 22, GNA - An eight-day arts and craft fair began on Thursday at the forecourt of the State House in Accra as a sidelight to the Accra Conference on Climate Change to showcase Ghanaian works in the industry.

Nine small art and craft companies are exhibiting beads, clothing, woodcarvings, fabrics, jewels and other gift items, all produced locally.

Among the companies are Into Clothing Ghana Limited, Trousemund Enterprise, Marcalf Enterprise, Esther Enterprise and Hispano Enterprise.

The rest are T. Owusu Enterprise, Ato Kofi Enterprise and Jungle Jewels.

Patronage of the goods began on a low note, but Mrs. Joyce Ankrah, Organiser of the fair, dubbed: Arts and Crafts Market, was hopeful of increased patronage from delegates from the 160 countries attending the eight-day conference.

Mrs. Ankrah appealed for more support in the form of management capacity building and access to capital to expand their businesses. She said the operators in the industry were organising themselves into an association to enhance their accessibility to credit and other facilities.

Mrs. Ankrah appealed to embassies, tour companies, travel agencies and event organizers to invite them to for such fairs.