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Brand J’KARTA excites patrons at Frankfurt ‘Ambiente 2023
• Ms Okbell Majdoub (left) speaking to a client at the fair
About 19 Ghanaian businesses joined over 4,460 exhibitors from 92 nations at one of the biggest trade and exhibition fairs dubbed “Ambiente 2023” which ended recently in Frankfurt, Germany.
The fair which took off on February 3 to February 7, 2023, showcased the latest range of related consumer goods such as lighting, gifts and souvenirs, household items, arts and crafts, jewellery, watches, tableware, among others.
It sought, among other things, to reflect the dynamic nature of the consumer goods industry and enable participants appreciate factors shaping the future of the industry, such as the shift towards sustainability. The show was interspersed with presentations, competitions and award ceremonies.
J’KARTA, an emerging handicraft business in Ghana, which produces sustainable fashion apparel and accessories from jute, featured prominently at the fair and attracted positive reviews for its range of products.
Ms Okbell Majdoub is the Chief Executive Officer of the company which is transforming locally-sourced jute bags into fashionable products.
Speaking to The Spectator after the fair, she said the inspiring response from patrons was a “solid backing” to the existing reputation and admiration brand J’KARTA had gained over the years.
Commending the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) for the recognition, she said the fair presented “a great opportunity” for her company to meet international standards as it continued to meet the demands of clients locally.
She said J’KARTA remained committed to the concept of “sustainable fashion”, where “clothing is designed and manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner.”
“Our bags and shoes caught the interest of international consumers. They liked the attention to finishing details and the idea that every piece was handmade.
“As the company continues to grow, we would do more in helping build skills in the youth and emphasise the essence of sustainability in the fashion industry,” she added.
Ms. Majdoub noted that emerging business like J’KARTA would need financial support in order to purchase more sophisticated machinery to increase productivity and ensure “the development of enhanced finished products.”
She, therefore, urged the government to support and rebuild defunct jute factories in the country to ease the burden on businesses which relied on the raw material for other finished products.
J’KARTA has so far left its footprints in Ivory Coast, Liberia, the United Kingdom (UK) and looks forward to producing exquisite fashionable products and promoting the Made-in-Ghana brand in 2023 and beyond.
By Ernest Nutsugah
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
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Energy Minister announces full restoration of power generation units after major grid disruption
Energy Minister, John Jinapor has announced that all power generation units affected by the recent national grid disruption have been fully restored and are back in service.
According to the Minister on social media, engineers, technicians and emergency response teams worked continuously to restore electricity supply and stabilise the national grid after the incident caused major challenges within the power sector.
In a statement, the Minister praised the efforts of personnel from the Ghana Grid Company Limited, Volta River Authority and Electricity Company of Ghana for their commitment and coordination during the emergency.
“Mission accomplished. All generation units are now back in service,” the Minister stated.
He explained that despite the scale of the disruption, technical teams worked around the clock to restore power and secure stability within the system.
“Through their tireless work, discipline, and commitment to country, power has been restored and system stability secured,” he said.
The Minister further expressed appreciation to the leadership and staff of GRIDCo, VRA, ECG and other supporting agencies for their collective response to the crisis.
According to him, the successful restoration of the system demonstrates the resilience and capability of Ghanaian professionals in times of national difficulty.
“This moment shows that even under pressure, Ghana can rely on the strength and skill of its people,” he added.
The Minister offered prayers for the country’s energy sector and the engineers who led the restoration efforts.
“May God bless our engineers, our energy sector, and our nation,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
