The much-anticipated Wakanda City of Return Expo 21 has opened in Cape Coast, with an exhibition of African antiques, prints, and more.
The Pempamsie Hotel has been busy with the activities of exhibitors and other stakeholders, with over 100 tents and exhibition booths built.
On Monday, representatives from the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI), the Ghana Chamber of Commerce, the Ghana Export and Promotion Authority (GEPA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and African Diasporans attended the ceremonial launch.
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The 10-day event, which drew delegates from the United States, Europe, the Ghanaian business community, government departments, trade associations, traditional authorities, and the media, provided a common platform for local businesses to share viable, ready-to-go investment opportunities that will help them create wealth.
It was part of the Wakanda City of Return Project, which focuses on connecting potential investors, facilitating sector presentations as a means of discovering areas of interest, empowering women and children through partnerships with local businesses and the government, and developing a more comprehensive action plan based on the Expo’s results.
A cross-section of the exhibitors the Ghana News Agency (GNA) interacted with, said the fair had given them the platform to showcase their goods and businesses.
In a separate interview, the exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the sales made so far, saying the expo had met most of their expectations. Mr Deladem Kisseih, the Marketing Manager of COA-FS, said the opening of the fair had increased patronage and networking had been great.
He added that they were looking forward to more of such events to display the country’s rich potentials to help boost national growth.
Madam Rita Ampiaba, a beads seller said she came to the fair with expectations of networking and would collaborate with other businesses for positive outcomes. She said her focus was not on sales, but on creating the awareness that her brand was the best in Ghana and beyond.
“Some Diasporans took time to familiarise themselves with processes bead making and we are happy for the experience. We will be part of this next time,” she promised.
Mr Philip Gbevo, a made-in Ghana Yogurt producer, said he had made huge sales as the Diasporans enjoyed his products very well. He called on Africans to patronage their products to grow the economy instead of resorting to foreign products.
Madam Abena Korsah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vidash Catering Services told the GNA how sales bad been good throughout the expo, adding that a lot of Diasporans had promised to engage her services when the need arose.
“ I’m very happy, a lot of the Diasporans took my number to engage my services and I can’t keep calm”, she stressed.
The GNA also saw many visitors, including residents, patronizing the goods and services including Arts works, designer dresses, bags, earrings, necklaces among others.
Mr Kwadwo Lawrence, a visitor, said he attended the fair, not only to buy cheap products but to ensure that he got original and durable ones and also to network.
The Wakanda City Expo Fair, which started on Monday, November 06, would officially close on Saturday, December 13.
There would be several seminars, youth mentorship programs, musical concerts, exhibitions, and networking meetings, Diplomatic visits by Country Ambassadors, coupled with visits to some tourist sites, among others during the programme.
