The only way to take care of our own is to produce and consume locally – Prof. Boateng

Board Chairperson of the Public Procurement Authority, Africa’s first Professor Extraordinaire and Author of the world’s first all-inclusive Supply Chain Management Compendium, Professor Douglas Boateng, has insighted on one way by which Ghana can take care of its own.
Speaking in an interview with Rev. Erskine on Y107.9FM’s Y Leaderboard Series, he noted that the only way by which we can take care of our own is to produce goods locally and consume locally as well. By so doing, we can create more jobs for the locals.
He clarified that he is not a protectionist and his insinuation is not that it is wrong to export foodstuff, raw materials and other essentials from other countries because AFCTA exists so we can open up to Africa. However, in his opinion, there must be a level playing field where we also look after our own.
Prof. Boateng noted that it may take time to produce locally and inculcating in the minds of Ghanaians to consume locally as well, however, that should not be a worry because “short-term thinking is the enemy of long-term success”.
The professor believes that, “we will be able to produce in volumes and also export around the continent but we need to support our own” and that should be the initial goal and motivation.
By: Maureen Dedei Quaye