Kumasi, Aug. 27, GNA - Local manufacturers of footwear have been advised not to confine the sale of their products only on the local market but strive to improve upon the quality of their products to acceptable international standards in order to attract foreign markets. Mr Oppong Kyekyeku, Ashanti Regional Officer of the Trade, Industry and Presidential Special Initiatives, said local manufacturers of footwear needed to develop products that would meet international quality to enable them attract foreign markets and expand their businesses.

He was speaking at a day's workshop on quality of locally manufactured footwear organised by the Ghana Standards Board for some selected footwear manufacturers in the Kumasi metropolis on Wednesday. The workshop was to introduce the participants to good and professional techniques of making wearable footwear that would meet consumer needs.

It was also designed to let them appreciate the wide variety of materials and equipment needed for good shoe making, as well as promote awareness of the principles of good production planning, quality control and management as tools for enhancing good industrial relations and increased productivity.

Mr Kwame Bour, chairman of the Footwear Manufacturers Association, said the association was liasing with the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) to organise trade examinations of which certificates would be awarded to qualified members. He said the association would acquire an industrial estate at Old Tafo for members and urged other manufacturers who had not joined the association to do so. 27 Aug. 03