The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mahama Ayariga, has blamed the collapse of industries on poor branding and packaging. Honorable Mahama Ayariga made this statement when he was delivering a keynote address at the packaging design seminar and exhibition organized by the Department of Communication Design of the College of Art and Social Sciences, KNUST.
Honourable Mahama Ayariga said every facet of our society needs to be rebranded since society appreciates the necessity of rebranding and packaging. He said the ministry of Trade and Industry as well as the Government of Ghana recognizes the need for it, as a result a “Ghana Brand Office” has been created by the President.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Pof. W.O Ellis said packaging education is an integrated, technology based and dynamic venture that drives the economy, which has the potential of marketing Ghana. Prof. W.O. Ellis noted that KNUST has a good relationship with the Institute of Packaging, Ghana and is a good sector for employment.
He said, as an institution KNUST has the capacity to put up an integrated programme on packaging and is poised to meet about seventy to eighty percent of the challenging packaging needs of the Ghanaian society. The Pro Vice Chancellor noted that the packaging sector needs equipment to be able to produce and called on the government to provide equipment for KNUST to help complement student works to marvel the whole Nation.
The Dean of the Faculty of Fine Art, Prof. Ohene Adu stated that the World Trade Organisation recognizes the need to support packaging education. As such the collaborative effort of the Department of Communication Design of the College of Art and Social Science, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Institute of Packaging, Ghana is in the right direction.Prof. Ohene Adu explained that a strong packaging, would support export and imports of the country.
Miss Zophia Kuukua Palmar received a cash award of two hundred Ghana Cedis from Mrs. J.J. Stuber for being the best packaging student.Mrs. stuber, a former Dean of the College, said her presentation is to motivate students to come up with innovative products. As part of the programme an exhibition was held at the forecourt of the Great Hall. The exhibition showcased the works of some selected students of the Department of communication design on non- packaged Ghanaian products.
Present at the seminar/exhibition were officials from the Ministry of Trade and industry, The Institute of Packaging, the Provost of the College, Deans and students of the College of Art and Social Sciences.
