The Vice President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama says the Brand Ghana initiative will make the country a preferred destination for trade and investment.

He is however calling for improvement in quality and packaging of Ghanaian goods and services to compete favourably in the international market.

John Mahama who launched the Brand Ghana project on Tuesday said the initiative will not provide the expected benefits without the removal of existing bottlenecks to trade and investments.

“Our branding must go hand in hand with us getting our acts right as a nation in terms with all aspects that we want to be viewed as positive.

“You don’t brand and let visitors come and at the first point of call, they are delayed or extorted at your airport, immediately the first impression they have [about] your country is contrary to what you have created”.

John Mahama also challenged the Brand Ghana board to develop strategies to increase local patronage for Ghanaian goods and services.**