By Nasratu Kargbo
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Haja Isata Abdulai Kamara says her Ministry was collaborating with the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA) to make it a must that big businesses like hotels use local products. She said that will be a stepping stone in making sure local entrepreneurs are promoted.
Speaking during a business linkage round table meeting with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, SLLCA, and local entrepreneurs, on the 16th March 2022, Kamara emphasized that if local businesses are to grow, Ministries and Sierra Leoneans should purchase products made in the country.
She asked that Sierra Leoneans promote the country’s culture, stating that women should braid their hair, use accessories that are locally made, etc. She said Sierra Leoneans are slowly losing their identity because they have inculcated the western culture, abandoning theirs.
“Expansion can only take place when you produce on a larger scale,” said the deputy minister. She encouraged entrepreneurs to be consistent in production and to do so on a larger scale, so they can supply in huge quantities.
She called on the media to promote local content and showcase the country’s culture in the execution of their trade.
Director-General of SLLCA Fodeba Daboh explained a scenario about some foreign partners who on several occasions asked whether the hotels belong to foreigners after they noticed that everything in the hotels were imported. He added that one of the foreign partners told him that such is not acceptable and explained that in countries in East and Southern Africa, products including food and furniture are locally made and procured by the hotel. He noted that international hotels usually hide behind “the products do not meet their standard” claim, and said the engagement was to proffer ways of creating a market space for the entrepreneurs amongst others, in a bid to create linkages.
Daboh said in responding to the cries about the economy being in the hands of foreigners, SLLCA wants to make it a duty for Sierra Leoneans to take a lead in the country’s economy. “Even though it seems farfetched, we will continue to make strides”, he said.
One of the entrepreneurs Naasu Fofanah explained that she has been selling her cooking oil to Brookfield’s Hotel and Radisson Blu but highlighted that one of the issues she has been faced with is that these hotels want to buy the oil below cost price.
She suggested that the government purchase local commodities for its School Feeding Programme instead of using foreign products.
Fofanah also stated that the government when giving hampers to visitors or dignitaries can do so with all made-in Sierra Leone products, as a way of popularizing the products to foreigners, who may end up investing in some of them. She added that uplifting entrepreneurs should start with government officials, who should make it a must to use products that are mostly manufactured in Sierra Leone.
CEO of Lady’s Republic Elizabeth A.O. Deen commended the agency for what she described as a good job but expressed dissatisfaction over the low opportunities given to local content creators in the Arts and Craft sector whilst other sectors have been given attention.
“The art and craft sector is Sierra Leone’s souvenir,” said Deen. She noted that most of the art products meet standards. “I can even compete with the Nigerians and Ghanaians”, Deen boasted. She pleaded with the deputy minister and the agency’s director to support the arts and craft sector.
The CEO stated that her institution has trained over one hundred and fifty women empowering them in different skills in arts and craft.
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