Smock weavers at the Bolgatanga central market in the Upper East Region have complained about low patronage of their products.
According to them, their businesses are being affected negatively because of such situations coupled with the low patronage of their products.
The weavers are also bemoaning the high cost of raw materials, weaving machines and export challenges which they claimed are hindering their trade.
They have therefore appealed to the government to as a matter of urgency provide them with the necessary support.
The group made this known when the Upper East Regional Minister Paulina Abayage paid a working visit to the Smock market in Bolgatanga.
Some of the smock weavers told Citi News, patronage of the smocks has reduced due to lack of proper exposure and product marketing leading to low production rate.
A smock designer Issaka Munkaila said “Our major challenge is low patronage of our smocks so we want to see how government can support us market our products.”
Another issue is the machines we use in weaving the smocks. We don’t have enough and we want to appeal to the government to support us with these machines (SINGER 20 U) to train more youth in smock making and produce more smocks for customers.”
Another designer, Ras Muni Mohammed added that, “The high cost of thread and how to export our products is a major setback. Because of the high cost of the thread in Bolga compared to Tamale, the buyers of our smocks say our smocks are expensive than in Tamale and this is affecting our business.”
“Again, we will be grateful if government can support us with loans to buy more raw materials and machines to expand our businesses and pay back the loans.”
They also appealed to the Minister, Paulina Abayage to always visit the Bolga smock market with all her visitors as a marketing strategy to boost patronage of their products.
On her part, Madam Abayage who has been championing and promoting the smocks and fugu dresses at all function said the smock industry is worth investing in.
She said her outfit will partner with stakeholders in the acquisition of weaving machines (SINGER 20 U) and access to credit facilities to help them expand their businesses.
Madam Abayage hinted that efforts are underway to solicit assistance from a group of Japanese investors interested in basket weaving to also support the smock weavers.
–
By: Frederick Awuni | citinewsroom.com | Ghana