Grant Webber with Nabil Bougrine, Country Manager, HP
Ghana loses over GH¢5.7 billion every year due to importation of counterfeit goods, Professor Douglas Boateng of PanAvest International and Partners, has said.
He said the phenomenon is getting worse due to the absence of stringent laws to deal with it.
Currently, fake and counterfeit goods make up between 5 and 7 per cent of world trade.
Prof Boateng disclosed this at a seminar organized by WASP, the only HP accredited Managed Print Service provider in Ghana, to enlighten its clients on how to distinguish between original and fake HP products.
He, therefore, emphasised greater vigilance among consumers on the injurious effects of counterfeit and illicit goods imported into Ghana while urging authorities to intensify surveillance at the ports and stem the flow of such fake products.
Grant Webber, Managing Director, WASP, advised clients to be careful whenever they go to buy HP printers and toners.
Commenting on the event themed, “Value for money and total acquisition cost of ownership: the inextricable link,” Mr Webber said the exhibition was in pursuit of President Akufo Addo’s 5-year modernization plan.
“We have also introduced software, which reduces cost, so do maintenance with our team. We also run pilots on devices which exist and introduce new ones, if required.
“Our pilot projects showcase how the value proposition comes to fruition in a real office setting. Today, we have taken the first step by engaging the private and public sector players that are serious about embracing digital transformation.”
Prof Alex Dodoo, Director General of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), in a remark, indicated that a surveillance carried out by his outfit proved high level inferiority in products countrywide.
He, therefore, charged traders to ensure that they deal in quality products, saying “whether a Ghanaian or not, traders must make sure they deal in quality products; it has nothing to do with nationality, whether Ghanaian or foreigner, the bottom line is the product should be of high quality. We have tough sanctions for traders who would be found guilty.”
A business desk report