Accra, May 17, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Saturday tasked marketing professionals to use their expertise to champion government's effort in promoting exports and access to foreign markets. He said without the appropriate application of export marketing expertise, the elimination of all forms of barriers to improve multilateral trading system would have no effect.

"As marketers, use your creativity to promote Ghana's competitiveness in the global economy. The Golden Age of Business cannot be fully realized, if we do not adopt a professional approach to marketing at all levels."

Alhaji Mahama made the call in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Sampson K. Boafo, Minister of Culture and Chieftaincy Affairs at the 6th Graduation ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Ghana in Accra.

Four persons received Chartered Marketers awards while 42 others received Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing at the ceremony which also marked the 10th anniversary of the Institute.

Alhaji Mahama noted that the dynamics in global economies as a result of trade liberalization has led to intense competition within the international market, hence the need for effective marketing to manage its opportunities and threats.

He urged the Institute to partner other bodies to develop a framework for a National Marketing Standards to ensure consistency in practice. He also charged the Institute to partner policy makers to design proactive strategies that would equip businessmen and women to compete effectively.

Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Deputy Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, called on marketers to commit to integrity and fairness in their product claims in order to engender consumer confidence. She said public perception and confidence in marketing practice was poor as a result of unfair products claims and bad customer service. Mrs Osei-Opare urged CIM to adopt codes of conduct to protect consumers' interests and engender confidence in investors. Mr Robert Torgbor, Chairman of CIM Ghana, said the Institute had the highest CIM membership in Africa made up of 1,325 studying members, 181 members in good standing, 20 chartered marketers and two fellows. He advised the graduating students to work hard towards attaining the chartered status and to excel in all endeavours. Mrs Patricia Akpene Tegbe, a Chief Reporter of the Ghana News Agency, was adjudged the Overall Best Student for 2006 and Best Student in Strategic Marketing Decision.