LOCAL JEWELLERS situated at various locations in the country have expressed displeasure over what they describe as neglect by successive governments, with regard to offering them opportunities to showcase Ghanaian made gold jewellery on the world market.
They argued that government rather diverted all attentions to the big exporting companies, leaving them to their fate.
For this reason, a committee known as the Gold Statement Project, chaired by Judy Crayem, called on government to give it all the necessary assistance to create the potential market for the country and be seen as a hub for rich jewellery. �We want government to partner us not with money but to support our initiatives�.
Established two years ago, the Gold Statement Project Committee (GSPC) is made up of over hundred local jewellers in the country.
Speaking on behalf of members at the launch of this year�s Gold Statement Jewellery Catalogue, Mrs. Crayem urged the Minerals Commission to come out with a legislation that would allocate a certain quota of gold to local jewellers to enable them produce quality and affordable products for both the Ghanaian and international markets while they paid back after sales.
Scheduled for August 6, the jewellery catalogue would showcase all documented jewellery pieces both traditionally and contemporary, produced with local hands.
The Committee hoped to raise Ghana�s image through the event.
She however expressed regret that a country like Ghana which boasted of timber, now imported timber products from other countries, attributing the situation to the low level of seriousness attached to the timber industry.
For them, they would not sit unconcerned for such misfortune to occur, hence the urgent need to involve government for a well composed gold jewellery sector.
Mrs. Crayem noted that they were creating a strategic gold market where tourists would have access to fine locally manufactured gold ornaments under one roof.
Meanwhile, members have mentioned that in South Africa, the big mining companies rather offer financial assistance to local jewel producers but here in Ghana, the situation is different as no company has expressed interest in what they do or support them.
<<Print>>