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GEXIM commemorates Homowo with “Homowo Mart” on August 27
As part of activities to commemorate this year’s celebration of the Homowo festival, Management of the Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) has announced a special edition of its popular Tuesday Market. Dubbed “GEXIM Homowo Mart”, it is scheduled to take place on Tuesday August 27, 2024 at the forecourt of the Bank’s headquarters, the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
In the spirit of the celebration, the “GEXIM Homowo Mart” which will commence at 10am and end at 8pm will provide a platform to showcase a variety of top-quality Made-In-Ghana products and services at unbeatable prices.
The very unique, and authentic products to be exhibited at the fair will include food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
Commenting on the Bank’s rationale and preparation towards the successful organization of the “GEXIM Homowo Mart”, the Deputy Chief Executive of GEXIM, responsible for Banking, Ms. Rosemary Beryl Archer, highlighted the important role cultural sensitivity plays in global trade, bilateral relations between countries as well as building synergies between international businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We are excited to be participating in this year’s edition of the month long harvest festival by the Gas in the Greater Accra region by organizing the special edition of our award winning SME fair, Tuesday Market, which seeks to promote and market products and services by Ghanaian entrepreneurs. I must say, cultural sensitivityis a cornerstone of successful international trade and it is significant to leverage on important festivals like Homowo by the Gas which comes with a lot of lessons. When businesses value and respect cultural differences, they foster trust, enhance communication, and drive sustainable growth in global markets”, she elaborated.
According to Mr. Archer, in addition to the exhibition of Ghanaian made products and services on the day, the forecourt of the Africa Trade House will come alive with a Ga cultural display to provide a captivating insight into the tradition and customs of the Ga people in the presence of some very important dignitaries from the Ga state confirmed to participate in the “GEXIM Homowo Mart”.
The word “Homowo” means hooting at hunger in the Ga language. The Ga people celebrate the “Homowo Festival” in remembrance of famine that once happened in their history in precolonial Ghana. The festival is a time of immense joy, gratitude and reflection for all Gas in the country and around the world.
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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