Berekum (B/A) Aug. 31, GNA- A five-day clients exhibition and trade show opened at Berekum in Brong Ahafo on Monday with a call on Ghanaians to patronise locally manufactured goods.

The Rural Enterprises Project (REP) organized the show, the fourth in Brong Ahafo and Ashanti, after Techiman in 2000, Offinso in 2002 and Mampong Ashanti in 2003.

It was organised under the auspices of Berekum District Assembly. The exhibitors called on the government to empower producers with funds and expertise to enable them to produce goods, well packaged and of good quality to compete favourably on the world market.

About 26 districts nation-wide where the REP is operating and some institutions including the Rural Technology Service Centers (RTSC) are exhibiting their goods and wares, which include handicrafts, clothing, food items and agricultural machinery.

Mr Michael Nsiah-Agyapong, District Chief Executive (DCE) for Asutifi in Brong Ahafo lauded the show, saying that he was impressed with the quality of goods on display.

"This shows that the Ghanaian given the opportunity and resources is capable of turning out high quality goods for local and foreign consumption", he said.

He called for greater support for local entrepreneurs to generate employment in rural areas to help curb the rural-urban drift. The DCE noted: "If people are gainfully employed, they will not have time to engage in anti-social activities" and urged District Assemblies to commit more resources for young entrepreneurs "who have the skills but lack funds".

He expressed the hope that the NEPAD and AGOA would provide the needed expertise to help local entrepreneurs in the storage and packaging of their produce.

Mr Bismark Haruna, DCE for Salaga said he was overwhelmed by the quality of goods on show, which he said was an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to display what they could contribute for the nation's progress.

He called on the government and organizations to provide more resources for local entrepreneurs to take up the challenge and produce more of Ghana goods.

Culture was at its best at the durbar preceding the opening ceremony as Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo 11, sat in state and presided over an official function as Omanhene of Berekum Traditional Area. The Omanhene also lauded the organisers of the exhibition, and said it portrayed the importance government attached to the project as a source for creation of jobs especially in the rural communities.

He thanked the organizers for holding the fair in Berekum and expressed the hope that citizens in the area would patronize locally manufactured products for their economic well-being.