REGIONAL DIARY
Wednesday 30TH November, 2011
NORTHERN STAR’ RICE LAUNCHED
STORY BY: G.B. Gibbah, Tema.
Mrs. Comfort Aniagyei, Managing Director of GhanaMade, a company that promotes and markets made in Ghana products, has called on government to enable them compete favorably with their foreign counterparts.
She said the cost of most imported products were comparably cheaper because of incentives producers receive from their respective governments.
Mrs. Aniagyei made the call here on Saturday during the launch of high quality Ghana rice named ‘Northern Star.’
Northern star, parboiled rice produced in the Northern Ghana has many excellent qualities.
Mrs. Aniagyei said there was the need to process more of our raw materials and consume more local products in other to spur the growth of the economy.
She said products in Ghana made are of high quality and have improved packages.
She said: “Any time a Ghanaian buys a foreign product and ignore its local alternative; he has made that coutry richer and created employment to the detriment of Ghana”.
Mrs. Aniagyei said GhanaMade has established 15 outlets in Tema, Accra, Ashaiman and Asamankese and was poised to expand to other areas so as to promote Ghanaian products and create more employment.
Mr. Joseph Gayin, a research scientist with the Food Research Institute, extolling the qualities of Northern Star, said it contained essential vitamins such as vitamin B, consist of whole grain, good flavoured, grains do not stick, translucent and recommended it for diabetic patients.
He, however, expressed concern that though rice could be grown in all the ten regions of the country only 30 percent of the rice consumed is produced locally.
“That is a clear indication that we provide market and employment for foreigners,” he said.
Prof. Lade Worsonu, a renowned surgeon, who was the guest speaker, in reference to a Ga proverb that says it is your favourite food that kills you, advised Ghanaian to let food be their only medicine.
In line with that, he urged Ghanaian to choose foods that were wholesome and healthy especially foods sold by Ghana Made shops.
Prof. Worsonu noted that unemployment was a disease, adding that GhanaMade by creating jobs for Ghanaians was helping with their wellness.
He said the management of GhanaMade consisted of a doctor and an accountant and by combining their resources they would ensure that products were healthy and affordable.
