Asamankese (E/R), Aug. 19, GNA – Mr Seth Koranteng, Executive Member of the Tema branch of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), has charged Government to put in place prudent measures to reduce the country’s dependence on huge imports of rice.

He stressed that the consistent importation of rice and other food commodities was a big drain on the nation’s resources.

Mr Koranteng made the observation at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Made-in-Ghana’ outlet at Asamankese in the Eastern Region, and maintained that the huge patronage of locally produce goods could help create enormous wealth for local farmers and provide a ready market for their produce.

He said to ensure meaningful and sustainable economic growth, Government must institute stringent policies tailored to promote and market Made-in-Ghana products.

“Ghanamade is a wholly-Ghanaian owned company set up to promote and market Made-in-Ghana products.”

Mr Koranteng stated that currently, it had a network of 14 branches in Accra, Tema and Ashaiman which offered a wide-range of high quality indigenous products at affordable prices, adding that the primary objective is to help propel the socio-economic growth of the country by actively promoting and marketing Made-in-Ghana products through the medium of Ghanamade stores.

Mrs Comfort Aniagyei, Managing Director of Ghanamade strongly believed that collaboration with other stakeholders could ease the financial burden of local farmers and provide a ready market for their produce.

She stated that over the years rice farmers across the country had immensely benefitted from Ghanamade’s active involvement in the rice sector.

According to her, Ghana’s importation of over 400 million tonnes of rice annually was regrettable, pitched against the background as one of the most foremost agricultural economies in the sub-region.

The Member of Parliament for Lower West Akyem Constituency, Gifty Klenam commended Government for its support in the area of fertilizer subsidy and supply in the rice sector, and expressed the trust that the concept of ‘operation feed yourself’ must be embraced for food self- sufficiency and a possible export of local products.

The Omanhene of Asamankese, Osabarima Kweku Amoa entreated Ghanaians, especially the youth, to collectively show commitment in farming by taking advantage of the enabling environment for job creation.