Woolworths, the largest departmental store and brand name in Africa and Middle East, on Tuesday, opened its second branch in Accra. The branch located in the City Car Park Building in the Central Business District has been stocked with a range of goods including gents and ladies wear, children's dresses and assorted households items.

Woolworths is affiliated to Marks and Spencer UK and has achieved its international reputation by offering quality products to customers worldwide through innovation and excellent customer relations. The management of Woolworths Ghana said the opening of the second store in the city falls in line with the company's mission statement of helping to build a strong economy for the country by creating jobs and providing quality goods and services to consumers at competitive and affordable prices.

Retailing at its branches is considered an important career, which must be made more attractive to people. To this end, the company has developed a programme to give training to young people who have been recruited as staff to build their capacity in handling issues like customer relations, sales promotion, marketing skills and good manners to maintain the high standards in customer relations. The company intends to introduce the "lay by system" which would allow customers to pay for items purchased by putting down deposits to pay the balance within three months.

The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Osei Adjei congratulated management for keeping their word of opening more branches at different locations across the country to serve the needs and demands of Ghanaian consumers who no longer want to settle for poor quality products.

He said government is creating an investor friendly environment to encourage more internationally recognized firms and investors to establish branches and open new businesses in the country. "Our government is prepared to do business with any investor who wants to do business in the country".

Mr. Osei Adjei said, Government is working through the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other partners to remove all obstacles to provide an environment where business development and investment promotion would flourish.

The Deputy Minster appealed to management to consider the income level of the average consumer and quote prices that would be affordable for more people to patronize the goods especially during this Christmas season. He asked them to assist local entrepreneurs and industries to have access to international markets by offering to sell some made in Ghana goods in their local and international franchise.

The Mayor of Accra, Mr. Solomon Ofei Darko said the establishment and subsequent expansion of the franchise in Accra is in line with AMA's vision to develop Accra to a standard that would befit its status as the capital of Ghana, the gateway to West Africa. He said AMA would give the necessary co-operation to organizations and individuals who wish to establish similar ventures so that local manufacturers would expand and create jobs to build the city's economy.