Trade fair ends with mixed reactions

The 18th Ghana International Trade Fair has ended in Accra with some exhibitors expressing mixed feelings about the overall success of the fair.

The two-week fair, which was expected to attract more than 500 exhibitors and 250,000 visitors, was described as “highly successful” by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ghana Trade Fair Company (GTFC), Mr Abdul-Shakuru Zakaria, in an interview with the GRAPHIC BUSINESS on March 7.

According to him the target was closely met as more than 400 exhibitors took part in the just-ended fair and the number of visitors was highly encouraging. 

For one exhibitor, who preferred to be called Hajia, the fair did not meet her expectations as patronage had been very bad.

“They are taking GH¢3 at the gate and because of that people are not coming in,” but when the reporter retorted that she had walked in without paying anything some minutes ago, she explained they start demanding the gate fee after some time.

Hajia, who had come from Bolgatanga with woven baskets, smocks and traditional slippers, said sales had been very bad. “My daughter, the fair has not been good at all,” she said.

On the flip side however, another exhibitor, Waisuwu Parymad who had come from Togo to showcase his handmade beads said patronage had been good so far.

When asked why he came all the way from Togo to partake in the fair, he said “I know Ghanaians love beads a lot and I have to come and showcase what I have for them.”

At the GIJEY stand, where there was general merchandise for sale, the representative at the stand, Tony,  said he had come from Koforidua and had acquired three stands at the fair at strategic locations to boost his chances of recouping his investments. 

Aside other exhibitors who had come to primarily display and sell their wares, the Narcotics Control Board (NARCOB) had acquired a stand to educate people on the dangerous effects of dealing in drugs and the legal repercussion of handling them. 

A representative at the stand who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity said the minimum sentence for drug-related offences was 10 years and went on further to advise that people travelling must not accept other luggage if they are not certain what the content is.

The group also had visuals on various means through which drug was trafficked either from or into the country including, soaps, laptops, mobile phones and others. 

He said they were there to primarily educate people on drug-related offences and how best to avoid getting into trouble related to drugs as NARCOB was more poised to deal with the menace of narcotics.

MoTI promotes made-in-Ghana goods

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) had a stand at the fair that displayed items made by local entrepreneurs in a bid to boost the appetite for locally manufactured products.

On display were children’s clothing, men’s shirts and trousers going for between GH¢3 and GH¢6.

Also available at the MoTI stand were brochures for other local companies that fell within the jurisdiction of the Ministry.

General mood at the Fair

When the reporter got to the fair grounds around 10am on Saturday, March 8, some exhibitors had already mounted their stands and cashing in on the “early birds” that had come to the fair. Others were also setting up to begin business for the day.

Some patrons had already started trickling in and some exhibitors were also seen trying to lure people to their stands.

The PRO of GTFC earlier said this year’s fair had no issues with electricity and water as all safety and security measures were put in place.

Looking beyond the fair

Mr Zakaria said there is the need for the centre to intensify education of exhibitors that the fair was not necessarily for sales but instead to showcase products and build long-term relationships with clients.

“The fair is not about sales. We acknowledge sales but as organisers our objective is not to drive sales at the fair grounds,” he said.

He said in the course of the year, there would be a sales bazaar that would primarily be for sales and exhibitors can equally take that opportunity to sell their wares.